Vatican City: As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games approach, Pope Leo XIV has made a heartfelt appeal for nations embroiled in conflicts to honor the centuries-old tradition of the Olympic truce. Speaking during Sunday’s Angelus at the Vatican, the Pope emphasized that the Games are not merely a sporting event but a global message of fraternity, hope, and peace.
“The Olympics and Paralympics carry a profound message of unity and renewed hope for a peaceful world,” Pope Leo said. “This is the spirit behind the Olympic truce, an ancient practice that has accompanied the Games since their inception.”
The Olympic truce, or Ekecheiria, originated in 776 BC in ancient Greece, when warring states would suspend hostilities before and during the Games to ensure safe travel for athletes and spectators. Highlighting this historical precedent, the Pope urged leaders and communities worldwide to use the Olympic period as an opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation. “I hope that all who hold peace dear, and those entrusted with positions of authority, will take this moment to make concrete gestures to ease tensions and foster understanding,” he said.
The Milano-Cortina Winter Games, set to begin on February 6 in northeastern Italy, will run until February 26, drawing athletes and spectators from across the globe. In preparation, Pope Leo has already sent messages to pre-Olympic events, calling on athletes, volunteers, and organizers to embody the true spirit of sport. He underscored values such as fair play, respect, teamwork, personal sacrifice, social inclusion, and the joy of human encounter principles that transcend competition and resonate with the Olympic mission.
Through his appeal, the Pope reminded the international community that sport can be a bridge for peace and a reminder that shared humanity should prevail even amid divisions. In his words, the Olympic truce is “more than a ritual; it is an invitation to cultivate peace, understanding, and friendship among peoples.”