During the opening of the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Italy, Pope Leo XIV urged a temporary ceasefire worldwide for the duration of the competition.
This is stated in his letter, published by the Holy See Press Office, as reported by Ukrinform.
The pontiff emphasized the importance of the Olympic Truce as an "instrument of hope."
"The Olympic Truce has been proposed anew in recent times by the International Olympic Committee and the General Assembly of the United Nations. In a world thirsting for peace, we need tools that can put an 'end to the abuse of power, displays of force and indifference to the rule of law.' On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, I wholeheartedly encourage all Nations to rediscover and respect this instrument of hope that is the Olympic Truce, a symbol and promise of a reconciled world," Pope Leo XIV emphasized.
According to him, violence and war are always a defeat for humanity.
"May your encounters be a symbolic sign for the whole of society and a prelude to that new era, in which people shall not lift up the sword against another," said the Pope.
The XXV Winter Olympics will commence in Italy on Friday, February 6, 2026. The opening ceremony will be held at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.
From February 6 to February 22, over 4,000 athletes from 96 countries will compete in 16 sports for a total of 116 sets of medals.
The Paralympic Games will run from March 6 to 15.