Pope calls for Olympic truce, cessation of conflict among nations

by CNS · Published July 22, 2024 · Updated July 21, 2024

A dancer lights the torch during the Olympic flame handover ceremony for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, April 26, 2024. (CNS photo/courtesy of IOC Media)

By CNS – With world peace under serious threat, Pope Francis called on all nations to observe the Olympic truce and cease all conflicts for the traditional period before, during and after the Olympic Games in Paris.

May God help “enlighten the consciences of those in power to the grave responsibilities incumbent upon them, may he grant peacemakers success in their endeavours,” the pope said in a written message to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.

The Vatican published the letter on July 19, seven days before the opening of the Summer Games and the customary start of the observance of the Olympic truce.

In his letter, the pope said he hoped ‘that the Paris Olympics will be an unmissable opportunity for all those who come from around the world to discover and appreciate each other, to break down prejudices, to foster esteem where there is contempt and mistrust, and friendship where there is hatred.

The Olympic Games are, by their very nature, about peace, not war,” he wrote. “In these troubled times, when world peace is under serious threat, it is my fervent wish that everyone will take this truce to heart, in the hope of resolving conflicts and restoring harmony,” he wrote. The Olympic Games begin July 26 and run until Aug. 11, followed by the Paralympic Games, which will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.