Vatican
Pope Leo XIV receives Special Olympics delegation
Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation from the Special Olympics at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The meeting took place in the Sala Clementina.
The Pope spoke to the group about the educational value of sports, noting that athletic competition instills noble values in people. He said that participating in sports requires hard work and allows athletes to share the results of their perseverance through loyalty, trust, openness, teamwork, and courage.
The Special Olympics is an international organization that promotes sports activities for people with intellectual disabilities. During the audience, the Pope expressed his pleasure in sharing the joy of the sporting events the delegation had experienced.
AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.Sources behind this story
- Official sourceAudience of the Holy Father Leo XIV with a delegation of the “Special Olympics”
Holy See Press Office
- Official sourcePope Leo XIV to a delegation of 'Special Olympics' - Sport as an example of sharing that leads to peace
L'Osservatore Romano
How the coverage unfolded
- Sep 19, 5:25 AM Holy See Press Office Audience of the Holy Father Leo XIV with a delegation of the “Special Olympics”
- Sep 19, 6:14 AM L'Osservatore Romano Italiano Papa Leone XIV a una delegazione di «Special Olympics» - Lo sport esempio di condivisione che porta alla pace
Discussion
Join the discussion. One email, one link, and you are back on this story signed in to comment and to vote.
Already have an account? Sign in.
Catholic News · Comments are signed by readers with a verified address.
Loading discussion…