Welcome to a blog post filled with warm greetings and prayers from none other than Pope Francis! As the excitement for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France builds up, the Pope sends his blessings for a Mass of Peace to set the tone for the prestigious international sporting event. The goal? To inspire peace and friendship in a world that greatly needs it.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
In a heartfelt message, Pope Francis expressed his hopes for all those involved in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. His prayers go out to athletes, spectators, and the people of Paris who will be hosting the event. He asks for divine support and blessings to make this event a shining beacon of peace and unity.
Olympic Mass of Peace
To kick off the Paris Games, a special Mass for Peace was held at the Madeleine Church in Paris. The Mass coincided with the start of the Olympic Truce, a period of calm proposed by the French Bishops’ Conference, the Archdiocese of Paris, and the Holy Games team. The truce begins a week before the opening ceremony and ends a week after the Paralympics.
Leading the Mass were Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Msgr. Laurent Ulrich, and Msgr. Emmanuel Gobilliard. Notable figures such as Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, diplomats, and sports personalities were in attendance.
Opening hearts like Christ
Pope Francis, in his message, emphasized the importance of opening hearts during the Olympics. He praised the Christian communities in France for their hospitality and urged them to welcome others with open arms, just as Christ would. He also highlighted the need to remember the most vulnerable during such large-scale events.
The Pope’s message resonated with a call for unity and harmony among the people of France, transcending differences and coming together in the spirit of brotherhood.
The universal language of sport
Recognizing the power of sports to unite people across cultures and beliefs, Pope Francis commended the Paris Olympics for being a platform of dialogue and acceptance. He highlighted the positive values that sports promote, such as self-overcoming, sacrifice, and loyalty, all of which contribute to fostering camaraderie and mutual respect.
Fostering esteem and friendship
The Pope’s vision for the Paris Olympics is one of camaraderie and goodwill. He encouraged participants to use this international stage as an opportunity to break down prejudices and build lasting friendships. The Olympic rings symbolize this spirit of unity, which the event aims to uphold.
Games which promote peace and not war
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of promoting peace through events like the Olympics, highlighting how the ancient tradition of a truce during the Games still holds relevance today. In a world beset by conflicts, the Pope called for a renewed commitment to peace and concord among nations.
Enlightening rulers’ consciences
In his final remarks, Pope Francis sought divine guidance for world leaders in their pursuit of peace. He called upon Saint Genevieve, Saint Denis, and Our Lady of the Assumption to watch over the success of the Paris Olympics. With a heartfelt blessing, the Pope entrusted the event and all its participants to divine protection and unity.
