File photo of Yemeni youth playing volleyball on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (ANSA)
By Linda Bordoni
Apr 8 2024
Recalling the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Pope Francis upholds the core values of sports in building fraternity. During the Regina Coeli prayer, he also remembers victims of a bus crash in South Africa.
Addressing some 15,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square and believers following the Regina Coeli Prayer through media outlets across the world, Pope Francis on Sunday recalled the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace which is celebrated annually on Apr 6.
The World Day was established by the United Nations as an opportunity to recognize the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe.
The global theme for 2024 is “Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”.
The Holy Father upheld its values saying “We all know how practising a sport can educate to an open, supportive, unprejudiced sociality.”
However, he continued “For this we need leaders and trainers who do not only aim at winning or making money: Let us promote a sport that fosters social friendship and fraternity!”
