Pope Francis expressed his hope on Sunday that the Paris Olympics would serve as a catalyst for truces in global conflicts, encouraging athletes to act as harbingers of peace and role models for the youth. The event is set to commence on July 26 with a grand opening ceremony on the River Seine, featuring approximately 10,500 athletes and more than 100 state and government leaders.
In his customary address to the masses in St Peter's Square, the pope conveyed his wish that, in line with the historical custom, the Olympics would provide a platform to broker peace in ongoing wars, showcasing a genuine aspiration for harmony. He specifically referenced the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar, and elsewhere, emphasizing that 'war is a defeat.'
In a recent development, the concluding declaration from a Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit in Italy echoed a collective plea for a ceasefire in global conflicts during the Olympic period.
