Pope Francis lauded the unifying power of sport yesterday ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and repeated his call for a worldwide truce during the event.

The Pope highlighted the power of sports to bring people together in peace, regardless of their backgrounds. He told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square after his weekly Angelus prayer, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday in Paris.

Francis expressed his hope that the event would promote a spirit of inclusion, which he believes is necessary for building a better world. He added that the athletes, through their sportsmanship, can be messengers of peace and effective models for young people.

In keeping with their historical roots, the Olympics serve as a time to set aside conflict and promote peace, reflecting a longstanding ideal. The Games will take place from July 26th to August 11th, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28th to September 8th.