Summary
Pope Leo XIV, an avid tennis player and sports enthusiast, addressed the start of the Winter Games in a message entitled “Life in Abundance,” delivered on the same day as the Milan Cortina opening ceremony. Pope Leo spoke about the benefits of sport for both physical and spiritual development, drawing from the works of Christian philosophers and popes who promoted leisure activity. He called for fair play over corruption, such as doping and match-fixing, which he warned demoralizes society. The pope advocated for sport to be accessible to all, especially marginalized groups like poor people and women, and stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between body and mind. He also highlighted his own experience playing tennis at his country house, noting that prolonged rallies in tennis provide spiritual and cultural benefits. Prior to becoming Pope, Cardinal Prevost engaged regularly with fitness routines, including workouts focused on posture, cardiovascular health, and a 90-minute session each week. During the Winter Games announcement, Leo welcomed an Olympic truce for world leaders as part of the Games’ traditional call for detente and dialogue.
Key Topics
Pope Leo XIV, Sports, Corruption
