VATICAN CITY, 21 JUL 2009 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. has announced that the Pope sends his greetings to cyclists participating in the Tour de France, who today are scheduled to pass near the Italian alpine town of Introd where the Holy Father is spending a holiday.
"For the occasion of the passage of the Tour de France in the Valle d'Aosta, the Holy Father (who is spending some days at Les Combes near Introd) addresses his cordial greetings to all the athletes and to the organisers of the race, at the same time extending his thoughts to all sports men and women currently involved in various activities and competitions. His hope is that involvement in sport may contribute to the integral development of the person, and that it may never be separated from respect for moral and educational values".
OP/POPE TOUR DE FRANCE/LOMBARDI VIS 20090721 (160)