VATICAN - Before the start of the competition in Taranto, scheduled for Friday, August 21 at 8:00 PM, a telegram from Pope Francis was read during Wednesday evening's Mass held at the local cathedral. The Cross of Athletes had been placed there and signed by Cardinal Parolin. These sporting events, lived out in the spirit of friendship and fair play, are meant to contribute "to building bridges between cultures and nations and fostering openness towards others, solidarity, and peace."
Only a few hours remain before the start of the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto. On Wednesday, an emotional opening took place with Eucharistic celebrations presided over by Archbishop Ciro Miniero, "Bishop of the City of Two Seas." According to his words, athletes must have "the courage not to fear making mistakes." The Mass held at St. Cataldo Cathedral in Taranto, enlivened by the singing of young athletes, effectively set the tone for the Mediterranean Games, which will see participation from 26 countries around the Mediterranean Sea and also include the team Athletica Vaticana, a sports club of the Holy See.
This southern Italian city in Apulia is experiencing an event that places it at the center of international attention—not only from a sporting perspective. In these days, Taranto lives through sport on its streets and squares but does not forget social issues either, such as the labor crisis in the steel industry which has affected it over recent years. Archbishop Miniero emphasized this point strongly. The development and renewal of the city pass through reconciliation; just like in the parable of talents, caution and fear must give way to creativity and the ability to take risks.
Games as a Bridge of Solidarity
From August 21 until September 3, these Games will offer many stories. In St. Cataldo Cathedral, performances by more than four thousand participating athletes will be accompanied by the Cross of Athletes. If we look at this event from a broader perspective, even the Mediterranean Games—as with other events—face conflicts, tensions, and injustices head-on. However, these days full of sport are an opportunity to "build bridges between cultures and nations and support acceptance, solidarity, and peace," as expressed in his wish by Pope Francis in the telegram signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. This message was read on Wednesday at the conclusion of Mass on the day Taranto welcomed the Cross of Athletes into its cathedral.
"A Prophecy of Peace and Brotherhood"
The Pope mentioned this last Sunday during the Angelus prayer: The Mediterranean Games can be "a prophecy of peace and brotherhood." In a telegram sent to Archbishop Miniero, in which he greeted those attending Mass welcoming the Cross of Athletes, he further called for looking at this sign of redemption with faith, one that gathers expectations, hopes, joys, and efforts from all who share sporting experiences. He encouraged experiencing these competitions "in the spirit of friendship, brotherhood, and fair play." Indeed, sport can bring a new wind of hope; while it may not immediately stop weapons, it can show the possibility of creating a more fraternal humanity. The Cross of Athletes has been gathering expectations and hopes from men and women since the Olympic Games in London 2012. It speaks the language of sport that aims at transforming society where conflict too often takes precedence over dialogue.
Brotherhood Beyond Competition
The Cross was handed over to Monsignor Minier by two representatives of Athletica Vaticana, along with Bishop Paul Tigh, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and children from the Taranto oratories. It will remain in the cathedral until the end of the Games. "You are not here only because of sports competitions but to give a strong testimony of peace, sharing, and brotherhood to the world," said Monsignor Miniero in his sermon. "This event enters history through what we experience these days, but especially through the spiritual, social, moral, and cultural legacy it leaves behind, and by the message that sends from the shores of the Ionian Sea across all oceans to the very end of the earth." These words assign a fundamental societal role to something many consider merely a game. The Archbishop emphasized with reference to Saint Paul's words that "sport as mastery over one's own body—and thus oneself—becomes a path toward higher goals and plays an important role in educating young people."
Communion in Diversity
In his homily, the Archbishop also recalled the parable of talents and called for viewing sport as one of the gifts given by the Lord that "can be used for selfish interests, self-promotion, achieving a record in a discipline, filling front pages with news, or out of frivolity or admiration from people, as Jesus criticizes; or it can be valued through sharing, giving, and helping to build a more peaceful world, standing in solidarity with the weakest and poorest." At the end he added: "In sport you have the opportunity to meet athletes from all cultures, religions, and social strata; discover the beauty of communion in diversity aimed at contributing to realizing the dream of a human family living in peace and respecting freedom." From Taranto thus may emerge through the Mediterranean Games a "concrete message of hope for the whole world."
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