Pope Francis on Friday called
for a truce during the Summer Olympics scheduled to take place
in Paris from July 26 until August 11.
"The Olympic Games, by nature, bring peace and not war", the
pontiff said.
"It is with this spirit that in ancient times a truce was wisely
established during the Games and that modern age regularly
attempts to resume this happy tradition.
"In these troubled times in which peace in the world is
seriously threatened, I strongly hope that everyone will wish to
respect this truce in hopes of a resolution of conflicts and a
return to harmony".
According to the pontiff, the "Olympic Games, if they really
remain 'games', can thus be an exceptional place where people
can meet, even the most hostile ones.
"The five intertwined rings represent this spirit of fraternity
that must characterize the Olympic event and in general sports
", the pontiff concluded, expressing the wish that the Paris
Games will be an "unmissable occasion to discover and
appreciate ourselves, to tear down prejudice", creating esteem
and friendship win lieu of mistrust and hatred.
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