Pope Leo has announced the “values of sport” as his monthly prayer intention for June.
The Pope has urged Catholics to join in praying that the “universal language” of sport may show a “path of peace, not violence”. In his message, Leo recognised the joys and benefits of physical exercise, while acknowledging the challenges it can bring.
It coincides with the FIFA Men’s World Cup, kicking off in the United States, Mexico and Canada in just over a week's time.
Pope Leo is a sports fan, a tennis player, and a supporter of the Major League Baseball team, the Chicago White Sox. Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, he issued a letter on the value of sport, both at the elite and recreational level.
In a social media video, the Pope said: “In times of war and extreme polarisation, sport is one of the few things that brings us closer together”.
“Let us pray this June that sport may be an instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue, among cultures and nations, and that it may promote values such as respect, solidarity and personal growth.”
As part of his prayer, Pope Leo thanked God “the gift of sport, for those who glorify God through the exercise of their bodies, for the friendships born on the field, and the joy of playing as a team”.
He said the Lord teaches us “that in life, as in the game, no one is saved alone. We need others to grow, to learn respect, to overcome our limits, and to celebrate together the victories we achieve”.
“May [sport] always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence”, Leo added.
Monthly prayer intentions invite members of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to reflect on issues facing the world and the Catholic Church. Other intentions so far this year have included disarmament and peace; that everyone might have food; and for priests in crisis.