Scheduled for June 14-15, the Jubilee of Sport is set to explore the meaningful role of sports in promoting resilience and fellowship among participants and spectators alike. The event aims to highlight how athletic endeavors can serve as a powerful source of unity and personal growth.

During the Jubilee of Sport presentation at the Vatican Press Office, Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça stated, “Sport teaches us to rise after a fall, just as faith sustains us in times of difficulty.” His words underscore the event’s focus on the parallels between athletic and spiritual perseverance.

The two-day event will culminate with Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, June 15, providing a spiritual capstone to the Jubilee.

Novella Calligaris, a former Italian Olympic swimmer, shared her insights during the press conference, noting, “For an athlete, losing is crucial-it’s the moment when one truly reveals who they are: how they recover, what they learn, and how they define their next goal.”

Calligaris, who was the first Italian swimmer to secure an Olympic medal and establish a world record in the 800-meter freestyle, now works as a journalist. She presented the Jubilee events alongside Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education; Amelio Castro Grueso, a Paralympic fencer; and Giampaolo Mattei, President of Athletica Vaticana.

“Every athlete carries a unique story,” Calligaris added. “The result speaks for itself, but what truly matters is the journey – what motivated them, the suffering, the setbacks, and the victories. In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games included poetry, dance, and song. We must recover this holistic vision of culture.”

Fostering Community Through Sports

Cardinal Tolentino emphasized the unifying nature of sports, stating, “even when practised alone, sport is always a communal act.” He highlighted its capacity to resonate with fundamental human emotions and aspirations. Pope Leo XIV has emphasized that this Jubilee is more about the cultural and educational aspects of sport rather than mere competition.

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s remarks to Giro d’Italia cyclists on June 1-“You are role models for young people around the world”-cardinal Tolentino noted, “They express two truths: the Church’s recognition of sport and the social duty entrusted to athletes. May this Jubilee awaken in them the awareness that they, too, are missionaries of hope.”

Looking Beyond the Podium

The Jubilee program will commence on Saturday, June 14, with the conference “The Momentum of Hope: Stories Beyond the Podium,” hosted at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute.Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, will be among the participants. Attendees will also join pilgrims for the Jubilee Audience with Pope Leo XIV in St.Peter’s Square.

The conference’s initial session will feature personal stories from track star Letsile Tebogo, Olympic fencer Valentina Vezzali, Paralympic fencer Amelio Castro Grueso, and former footballer and coach Sérgio conceição. A subsequent panel will delve into the church’s involvement in sports, with contributions from Francesca Scibetta (Salesian youth Sports), Giampaolo Mattei, Litus Ballbe Sala (Pastoral Ministry of Sport), and Paola Virginia Gigliotti (Sentieri Frassati Association). The event will conclude with the awarding of the international photography contest “Sport in Motion,” designed to encourage young people to engage in cultural reflection through sports.

In the afternoon, athletes, their families, and friends will participate in the Jubilee’s central tradition: the Pilgrimage through the Holy Door.

The evening will feature a screening of the Oscar-winning film “Chariots of fire,” celebrating the intersection of passion, faith, and sports.

Sport teaches us to rise after a fall, just as faith sustains us in times of difficulty.

Celebrating Unity and Dignity

Giampaolo mattei reflected on Pope leo XIV’s vision, stating, “on June 1, we experienced a remarkable beginning. Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed a vision of sport that encompasses the whole person-body, mind, heart, and spirit.On May 27,during a meeting with Napoli’s football club,he emphasised teamwork and the educational dimension of sport.”

“The Jubilee of Sport is not a competition, tournament,