VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis on Sunday called for an Olympic truce among warring nations, hoping that the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games would inspire a pause in conflicts by an ancient Greek tradition.
During his Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis stated, “According to ancient tradition, may the Olympics be an opportunity to establish a truce in wars, demonstrating a sincere will for peace.” He highlighted the unique potential of sports to unite people from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing their “great social power” to foster peace.
The 33rd Olympic Games are set to begin in Paris on July 26, with 205 delegations of athletes expected to participate in the opening ceremony, which will feature a grand parade on more than 80 boats along the Seine River. The Pope expressed his hope that the Games would symbolize a world striving for inclusivity and that athletes would serve as “messengers of peace and valuable models for the young.”
In his address, the Pope also urged the faithful to pray for peace, acknowledging ongoing global conflicts. “Let us not forget the martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and many other countries at war,” he said. “Let us not forget, war is a defeat,” he concluded, reinforcing his call for a global commitment to peace.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
