Pope Francis Calls for Olympic Truce Amid Global Conflicts

Pope Francis expressed hope that the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will serve as an opportunity for war-torn countries to observe a truce, following ancient Greek traditions. He emphasized the unifying power of sports and called for prayers for global peace, citing ongoing conflicts in nations like Ukraine, Palestine, and Myanmar.

Pope Francis on Sunday voiced his hope that the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide an opportunity for warring countries to respect an ancient Greek tradition and establish a truce during the Games period.

"According to ancient tradition, may the Olympics be an opportunity to establish a truce in wars, demonstrating a sincere will for peace," Francis said during his Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope highlighted sport's great social power, which is capable of peacefully uniting people from different cultures. The 33rd Olympic Games' opening ceremony will be held in Paris on July 26, featuring 205 delegations of athletes parading on over 80 boats on the Seine.

"I hope that this event can be a sign of the inclusive world we want to build and that the athletes, with their sporting testimony, may be messengers of peace and valuable models for the young," Francis added.

The Pope urged the faithful to pray for peace, especially as conflicts persist around the world.

"Let us not forget the martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and many other countries at war. Let us not forget, war is a defeat," he concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)