Sport “can make an effective contribution to peaceful understanding between peoples and to establishing the new civilization of love”. This sentence, first pronounced by John Paul II in 2000, was echoed today by Benedict XVI in a message addressed to Mgr. J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, host city of the next Olympic and Paralympic games. “I was pleased to learn that the XXI Winter Olympic Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games are to be held in the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Diocese of Kamloops, from 12 to 28 February 2010”, said the Pope at the beginning of his message calling the event “an important occurrence for both athletes and spectators”.
The Holy Father went on to extend his greetings to Bishop David Monroe, “the participating athletes, the organizers and the many community volunteers who are generously cooperating in the celebration of this significant international event”. Sport can “always be a valued building block of peace and friendship between peoples and nations”, continued Benedict XVI. Then the Pontiff expressed his appreciation for “the ecumenical initiative ‘More Than Gold’, intended to provide spiritual and material assistance to visitors, participants and volunteers alike”. Hence the hope that “all who avail themselves of this service will be confirmed in their love of God and neighbour”.