Vatican City: This mid-June, the Augustinianum Institute in Rome will host a landmark international conference to celebrate the Jubilee of Sport, spotlighting the Catholic Church’s commitment to nurturing the uplifting spirit that sport inspires — a true “Momentum of Hope.”

Set for June 14-15, the Jubilee of Sport kicks off with the conference titled “The Momentum of Hope.” The gathering is organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education and takes place at the Augustinian Patristic Pontifical Institute, nestled near St. Peter’s Square.

The event will open with keynote remarks from Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery, and Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, setting the stage for a rich dialogue on faith and athleticism.

Four distinguished athletes will then take the floor to share moving personal stories from their journeys in sport:

Sergio Conceição — renowned Portuguese coach of AC Milan and former player for clubs including Porto, Lazio, Parma, and Inter, as well as a national team stalwart;

Letsile Tebogo — Botswana’s 22-year-old sprint sensation and Olympic 200m champion from Paris 2024, who poignantly recalls his late mother after meeting Pope Francis in August 2024;

Valentina Vezzali — one of fencing’s all-time legends, boasting nine Olympic medals (six gold) and 26 World Championship medals (16 gold);

Amelio Castro Grueso — a Paralympic fencer who competed with the Refugee Team in Paris, whose life story speaks of tragedy, resilience, and faith, having lost his mother and later the use of his legs before finding renewal through sport and spirituality.

Additional voices enriching the conference lineup include Giampaolo Mattei, President of Athletica Vaticana; Litus Ballbé Sala, Spanish priest and 2012 Olympic hockey player; Paola Gigliotti from Sentiero Frassati; Salesian Sister Francesca Scialbetta; and photographer Giovanni Zenoni.

The session will be skillfully guided by Novella Calligaris — former swimming champion and journalist with Rai News 24 — alongside Alessandro Gisotti, Deputy Editorial Director of the Dicastery for Communication.

This inspirational event welcomes all who wish to join the conversation. Registration is open at :

https://collaboration.cloud.va/index.php/apps/forms/s/JKBXkazQgL7kaHaaBTbEb5Rj