ATHLETES ARE NOT “MERCHANDISE” AND SPORT CANNOT BE MEASURED SOLELY BY ECONOMIC VALUE

Vatican City, 23 November 2013 (VIS) – The language of sport is “universal, and overcomes borders, barriers of language, race, religion and ideology” and is capable of “uniting people, favouring dialogue and openness”, Pope Francis said to delegates from the European Olympic Committees, whom he received in audience this morning in the Sala Clementina, on the occasion of their assembly.

“Indeed, the practice of sport stimulates one to healthily overcome oneself and one's own selfishness and to train oneself in the spirit of sacrifice and ... promotes loyalty in interpersonal relationships, friendship, and respect for rules”, continued the Holy Father, encouraging the institutions and organisations of this sector to offer, especially to the younger generations, “approaches to sport for training in peace, in sharing and the co-existence of peoples”.

“Sporting activity typically unites rather than divides. Even the five interlinked rings, the symbol and flag of the Olympic Games, represent precisely the spirit of brotherhood that should characterise the Olympic events and sports competitions in general”, he observed, adding that “When sport is regarded solely within economic parameters, or in terms of the achievement of victory at any cost, there is the risk of reducing athletes to mere merchandise through whom profit may be obtained. The athletes themselves enter into a mechanism that overwhelms them, causing them to lose sight of the true meaning of their activity. … Sport is harmony, but if the unrestrained pursuit of profit and success prevails, this harmony is lost”.

“As Olympic managers, you are called upon promote the educational aspect of sport”, concluded the Pope. “We are all aware of the great need to train sportsmen and women who are driven by probity, moral rigour and a lively sense of responsibility”.

POPE'S SPECIAL ENVOYS

Vatican City, 23 November 2013 (VIS) – In a letter made public today, written in Latin and dated 19 November, the Holy Father nominated Cardinal Walter Brandmuller, deacon of St. Julian of the Flemings, as his special envoy at the commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the Council of Trent, to be held in the cathedral of Trento, Italy on 1 December 2013. The cardinal special envoy will be accompanied by a mission composed of the following members: Msgr. Lodovico Maule, deacon of the metropolitan chapter of Trento, and Msgr. Umberto Giacometti, honorary canon of the same chapter.

Also today was published the letter in which the Pope appointed Cardinal Jorge Liberato Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, as his special envoy to the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the institution of the ecclesiastical province of Managua, Nicaragua, to be held on 2 December. The letter was written in Latin and dated 12 November. The mission accompanying the cardinal will be composed of Rev. Julio Cesar Arana Gonzalez, priest of the parish of St. Judas Tadeo en Managua and judicial vicar of the archdiocese, and Rev. Alfonso Alvarado Lugo, rector of the national shrine of Jesus del Rescaate en Rivas and vicar penitentiary of the diocese.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 25 November 2013 (VIS) – This morning, the Holy Father received in audience Joseph Tebah-Klah, ambassador of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, on his farewell visit.

This afternoon, he is scheduled to receive Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and entourage.

On Saturday 23 November the Holy Father received in audience:

- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 25 November 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father:

Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Eger, Hungary, presented by Archbishop Istvan Katona, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday, 23 November, the Holy Father:

- appointed Fr. Medardo de Jesus Henao del Rio, M.X.Y., as apostolic vicar of Mitu (area 54,000, population 40,000, Catholics 37,000, priests 5, religious 16), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Liborina, Colombia in 1967 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. He holds a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogota, and has served in a number of pastoral and administrative roles, including missionary, chancellor and co-ordinator of education in the apostolic vicariate of Mitu; and deputy master of novices. He is currently master of novices.

AUDIENCE WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Vatican City, 22 November 2013 (VIS) – This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience Vjekoslav Bevanda, prime minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who subsequently went on to meet with Archbishop Pietro Parolin, secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

The colloquial discussions provided the opportunity for an exchange of opinions on the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the country’s main current objectives, on the efforts made to promote an increasingly open society respecting the rights of all citizens, and on the challenges that need to be faced as a result of the current economic crisis.

Satisfaction was expressed regarding the good existing bilateral relations, of which the Basic Agreement of 2006 is an important expression, promoting collaboration between Church and State for the common good and the development of the country. During the conversation, mention was also made of various issues linked to the application of the aforementioned Agreement, as well as the contribution of Catholics in society.