Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed that even in an era marked by global strife, division, and war, humanity still possesses the capacity to unite for peace and solidarity. In a heartfelt video message aired ahead of a major charity event in Italy, the Pope called on people of all walks artists, politicians, athletes, and the faithful to reclaim a sense of shared humanity and foster compassion through collective action.
The Pontiff’s message was addressed to participants of “La Partita del Cuore” (“The Match of the Heart”), an annual charity football match and concert hosted this year in L’Aquila, central Italy. Organized by the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital and Caritas Italiana, the event raises funds for “Project Welcome,” an initiative that provides support and housing for underprivileged families seeking medical care for their children.
“Let this game be a moment for peace,” Pope Leo implored, emphasizing that while bombs fall and animosities deepen worldwide, there remain powerful opportunities to build bridges and resist hatred. “The real victory lies in learning to meet again in turning confrontation into encounter, and divisions into compassion.”
Referencing the match’s deeper symbolism, the Pope praised its blend of sport and solidarity. “The word ‘match’ can mean so much more than a game. It can be a meeting an encounter that brings former opponents together for a common cause,” he said, alluding to the many children from conflict zones who are now receiving medical support through the charitable project.
The Pope drew inspiration from the 1914 Christmas Truce, during which opposing soldiers in World War I laid down arms and played a game of football amidst the trenches. “That fragile peace teaches us something vital,” he reflected. “That even in the darkest times, there is a spark of unity and hope.”
He also highlighted the cultural influence of music and art in nurturing peace, citing Paul McCartney’s “Pipes of Peace” and the film Joyeux Noël, which commemorated the same historic truce. “Music and memory move hearts and bring healing,” he said, adding that “children, in their purity of heart, can still teach us to see God and one another.”
In a broader appeal, the Pope encouraged sports, television, politics, and entertainment to step up in shaping a more united society. He noted that when sports are lived with sincerity and respect, they transform isolation into community. Television, too, can go beyond just connecting people to instead promote love over hatred. Even politics, often mired in division, has the potential to become an instrument for unity if leaders resist the temptation to fuel propaganda and instead choose the harder path of honest dialogue and the pursuit of common good.
Closing his message, Pope Leo XIV called on everyone to contribute to causes that bring healing to a broken world. “Let us remember,” he said, “that in God’s heart, we are already one. And the heart is where true encounter begins.”