Pope urges Austrian skiers to foster core sporting values

When a delegation of the Austrian Ski Association is received by Pope Francis, he says to them that sport preserves its core values to build a more fraternal world.

❄️ Wintereinbruch ❄️

Über Nacht ist die Schneefallgrenze vor allem im Süden Österreichs weit abgesunken, zum Teil bis auf etwa 500m.

Auch sonst (im Bergland) oft winterlich – hier ein paar aktuelle Aufnahmen vom Pfaffensattel in der Steiermark!#Schnee #Wetter pic.twitter.com/FG7O2ug6Hi
— Matthias Markel (@MatthiasMarkel) October 4, 2024

Pope Francis received at the Vatican 103 members of the Austrian Ski Association (Österreichische Skiverband – ÖSV) representing the opening of the Alpine Ski World Cup 2024-2025 on 26 October in Sölden, Austria.

Pope urges Austrian skiers

Greeting of the Holy Father
Dear Msgr. Lackner,
Your Excellency,
Dear athletes, dear friends,
I warmly greet you, who have come to the Vatican from Austria to meet the Successor of Peter.
Your homeland, rich in majestic mountains, offers excellent possibilities for alpine sports. Your association, Ski Austria, founded in 1905, aims to promote the various skiing activities nationwide, especially the athletes in their outstanding performances. I would like to encourage all of you to always cultivate in your endeavours the values inherent to sport: such as constancy, sincerity, friendship, solidarity. Constancy, sincerity, friendship, solidarity. In this way you make your contribution to a more fraternal world, because sport creates brotherhood, in order to sing, amidst the wonders of nature in your country, the hymn of praise to the Creator.
May the Lord accompany you and the Guardian Angels protect you from every danger. I pray for you and you, pray for me.

Pope: Sport is a site for meeting and fraternity

The association was established in the year 1905 with its headquarters situated at Innsbruck.

Pope asks to Brings Fraternity: Sports

After welcoming the group in the Consistory Hall, Pope Francis urged the members of the association to continue promoting and nurturing sports values, including perseverance, honesty, friendship and solidarity.