Delegação da Special Olympics (19 de setembro de 2026)

Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation from the Special Olympics on September 19, 2026, to celebrate the joy of their sporting events. During the meeting, the Pope spoke about the formative value of sports, noting that athletic activity teaches noble and authentic values through both competitive and amateur participation.

The Pope stated that practicing sports requires serious effort and allows athletes to share the fruits of their perseverance through loyalty, trust, openness, teamwork, and courage. He noted that athletes demonstrate these qualities in a special way to those who participate in, watch, or know them.

Referencing a 2017 statement by Pope Francis, the Pope described sports as a universal language that overcomes cultural, social, religious, and physical differences to unite people. He encouraged the athletes to continue acting as witnesses to these true values in a world that needs them.