The motto of the congress was: SPORT FOR ALL, COHESIVE, ACCESSIBLE AND TAILORED TO EACH PERSON, and this motto was the great objective that the Holy Father asked of all the organizations present, to ensure throughout the world that no one, regardless of race, ideological condition, economic situation, family, disability ... be left without the opportunity to practice sports or physical activity; and that we all join forces, efforts, create communities, networks, projects, to ensure physical/sports activities for all people in the world, with special attention to children and youth.
On several occasions, the Christian and spiritual dimensions of sports were discussed, how sport helps the integral good of the person, both physically and psychologically, how sport serves the person, and how responsible and healthy sport is a testimony of hope. A sport that on many occasions "saves" people who have lost everything, a sport that serves as a "refuge" for many people when they are going through a bad time, that serves as an "escape route" in situations of distress...
Archbishop Melchor Sánchez de Toca, Secretary of the Dicastery for Education and Culture, who is in charge of the topic of sports, insisted that we need to convince society of the goodness of sports, that we need to unite our efforts and resources, that sports leads to happiness, to finding the meaning of life, that it produces joy and therefore must be a fundamental right for all.
Engraved in the speech delivered by the Pope at the end of the Congress are some memorable phrases about sports:
– I encourage you to commit yourselves to the promotion of sports as something for everyone, sports that are "cohesive," "accessible," and "fit for every person." "A weighty commitment, no doubt, that no one is capable of carrying out alone. But to achieve lofty, arduous, and difficult goals requires teamwork. "
– The Church feels close to the world of sports because she sees games and sporting activities as a place of personal encounter for people, a formation in virtue and fraternity. For this reason, sports find a home in the Church, especially in schools and parishes, or youth centers.
– The reality of play is fundamental, especially for the very young: it gives joy, fosters sociability, and engenders friendships, while also being formative. Thanks to sports, we can establish strong and lasting relationships. Sports create community.
- If the world of sport conveys unity and cohesion, it can become a formidable ally in building peace. Sport is an educational and social goof and it must remain so!
- Playing a sport can become a way of personal and social redemption, a way to recover dignity!
– We must remove those physical, social, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent or hinder access to sports. Together with accessibility, there must be acceptance.
– In this way, finding, tailoring, the right sport for each person becomes easier, and each person can develop their talents, starting from their own situation, including frailty or disability.
The Congress concluded with an international declaration that the participants signed, making the commitment that the Holy Father asked of everyone.
