Pope Leo XIV welcomed 159 cyclists from 29 countries as they passed through Vatican City on the final stage of the Giro d’Italia on June 1.
In a peaceful break from the usual intensity of the race, the riders paused to greet the Holy Father, who smiled and offered them his Apostolic Blessing.
The meeting took place near the sacristy of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Leo warmly greeted the athletes: “Welcome to the Vatican! It’s a pleasure to greet you on this final stage of the Giro d’Italia. I hope today is truly a wonderful day for each of you.”
Reviving a tradition supported by the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo emphasized the deep connection between sport and spiritual values.
As the cyclists rode through the Vatican Gardens, the Pope praised their dedication, sacrifice, and the unity found in sport.
“Know that you are examples for young people around the world,” he said. “Cycling, and sport in general, is a great teacher of life.”
He encouraged the riders to care for both body and soul: “As you train your bodies, may your spirits also be strong and blessed. Always look after the whole person—body, mind, heart, and spirit.”
Pope Leo concluded his message with a heartfelt blessing: “May God bless you all,” offering a few closing words in English to the international participants.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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