Pope Leo called on world leaders on Sunday to leverage the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics as a platform to promote peace, urging those in positions of authority to take tangible steps toward dialogue and de-escalation.
The Games will be co-hosted by Milan and the Alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22.
Speaking after his weekly Angelus prayer, the pope highlighted that major sporting events, including the Olympics, carry a “powerful message of fraternity” and can inspire hope for “a world at peace,” referencing the ancient tradition of the Olympic truce.
“The Olympic truce is an age-old custom that accompanies the Games,” he said.
“I hope that those who are committed to peace among nations and hold positions of authority will use this occasion to take concrete steps toward de-escalation and dialogue,” he added.