Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has praised the importance of sport, describing it as a source of strength for both the body and the spirit. Speaking to members of the Italian Swimming Federation and athletes taking part in the International Swimming Championships, the Pope said sport helps people grow not only physically but also in character by encouraging commitment, honesty and solidarity.
The Pope met the delegation at the Vatican on Thursday as Rome prepares to host the 62nd Sette Colli Trophy, one of Europe's leading swimming competitions. The event will be held at the historic Foro Italico Swimming Stadium from June 26 to June 28 and serves as a final qualifying competition ahead of the European Championships and the Mediterranean Games.
Addressing athletes, coaches and officials, Pope Leo said sport becomes a true source of well being when it is lived with the right attitude. He explained that it brings together different aspects of a person's life and guides them towards values that remain important far beyond the sporting arena.
He said that dedication, teamwork and honesty are among the qualities that sport helps develop. According to the Pope, competitive events also reveal the deeper motivations of athletes as they push themselves to improve through determination, discipline and perseverance.
Reflecting on swimming in particular, Pope Leo noted that the sport has a special symbolic meaning because it takes place in water. He said water surrounds the swimmer and reminds people of the environment in which every human life begins before birth.
The Pope explained that this image also carries a deeper lesson about learning to live in harmony with other people and with the world around us. For Christians, he added, water has an even greater meaning because it is closely linked to Baptism, which represents new life in Christ.
Pope Leo also highlighted the international character of the Sette Colli Trophy, where swimmers from many countries gather to compete while sharing the same love for the sport. He said these events show that people from different cultures and languages can come together through common values and mutual respect.
He described international sporting competitions as signs of hope that reflect the kind of world people should strive to build. Such gatherings, he said, encourage peaceful encounters among nations and strengthen the spirit of fraternity between peoples.
The Pope encouraged the athletes to continue promoting the positive values they have learned through sport both during and after their competitive careers. While victories and records may eventually fade, he reminded them that the lessons gained through discipline, respect and fair play remain for life.
Entrusting the swimmers to the care of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope Leo expressed his hope that they would continue to inspire others through their example, both inside and outside the pool.
Concluding his address, the Pope reminded the athletes that while every sporting career eventually comes to an end, the values formed through sport continue to shape individuals and communities long after the final race has been completed. He encouraged them to carry those values into every stage of life, making sport not only a path to physical excellence but also a lasting source of personal growth, friendship and peace.