“Italian sport, deeply saddened, joins the profound mourning for the passing of the Holy Father Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The world has lost a spiritual guide who illuminated the path of the faithful and the wider community, thanks to his message of brotherhood, solidarity and the values that must inspire us in striving to build a better society. Pope Francis enlightened consciences, constantly demonstrating his closeness to our world, sharing its ideals and goals.” With these words, CONI President Giovanni Malagò paid tribute to Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, who has passed away at the age of 88.

“There are so many memories that bind us to him,” Malagò continued, “and so many occasions for reflection in which he honoured the different parts of our sporting world, encouraging us to understand the importance of the example that sport can offer as a behavioural model for new generations and for anyone who can be inspired by its authenticity. I recall with emotion and pride the audience in 2014, when he received the entire Italian sporting community at St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate CONI’s centenary and our history, as well as his unconditional support for the Olympic spirit, which can help us to achieve those spiritual goals we must pursue every day. Paying tribute to the memory of the Holy Father Francis means renewing this commitment in his unforgettable memory”.

A lifelong supporter of San Lorenzo and a great enthusiast of sport, from his father Mario’s love of basketball to his own passion for football, Bergoglio maintained a close relationship with the sporting world. On 1 June 2014, he entered the Stadio Olimpico for the first time, following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II, to take part in the 37th Convocation of the Catholic movement Renewal in the Spirit, titled “Receive the Holy Spirit. For a ‘missionary’ Church ‘on the move’”.

A few months later, on 19 December 2014, Pope Francis celebrated the centenary of the Italian National Olympic Committee before an audience of six thousand people at St Peter’s Basilica, in a special edition of the traditional Mass of Sportspeople. “Sport has its home in the Church,” Pope Francis explained on that occasion. “The Olympic motto – ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ – is not an encouragement towards the supremacy of one nation over another, or of one people over another, nor does it seek to exclude the weakest or least protected. It represents a challenge for us all, not just for athletes: the challenge of undertaking hard work and sacrifice to achieve the important goals of life, accepting our limits without being paralysed by them but striving to surpass ourselves”.

“We are celebrating your centenary together,” Pope Francis continued, “an important milestone for Italian sport. For 100 years, CONI has promoted, organised and led sport in Italy, not only in view of the Olympic Games, a global event, but also by valuing sport’s social, educational and cultural dimension, following the founding principles of the Olympic Charter, which include the centrality of the individual, the protection of human rights and the building of a better world free from wars and tensions, educating young people without discrimination, in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and loyalty. Sport has always fostered universalism among peoples, peace among nations, and respect for diversity. Every sporting event, especially the Olympic Games, can become a force capable of opening new and sometimes unexpected paths towards overcoming conflict”.

CONI President Giovanni Malagò has invited the National Sport Federations, the Associated Sports Disciplines and the Sports Promotion Bodies to suspend all scheduled sports activities today and to observe a minute’s silence at competitions across Italy during the remainder of the week, to mourn the passing of the Holy Father Francis and to honour his memory.