Special Olympics is paying tribute to the legacy of Pope Francis.
The Holy Father was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics movement, who also appreciated the power of sport to bring people together. In his words, "The world of sport offers a special opportunity for people to grow in mutual understanding and friendship."
Pope Francis personally took part in Special Olympics' milestones, including hosting Special Olympics athletes ahead of important competitions, such as World Games. He also held a general audience at the Vatican with the Special Olympics Italy Unified Cup team in 2018.
During that ceremony, His Holiness lit a torch to commemorate the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary and offered a special blessing for our movement: "On all those who support the goals of Special Olympics, I gladly invoke the blessing of joy and peace that God will protect you."
"Pope Francis was a fierce advocate for the Special Olympics movement. He believed that sport offers a universal language that unites people from all walks of life, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs. We are forever grateful to Pope Francis for championing inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities, for his decades-long involvement in our global movement, and for his blessings of Special Olympics athletes around the world."
"Pope Francis gave us spiritual leadership that touched our entire movement, our athletes, our mission, and our collective spirit. His words and actions deepened our commitment to inclusion, reminded us of its urgency, and revealed the true beauty that shines through when it is lived out fully."
