The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, today expressed the sporting world’s deep sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Known as a constant supporter of the Olympic Movement, the Pope was awarded the Olympic Order in Gold in 2013 during a ceremony at the Vatican, in recognition of his commitment to youth, sport, and peacebuilding.
Pope Francis, renowned for his support of Olympic values, maintained a close relationship with the IOC, consistently highlighting the power of sport to unite people and promote solidarity.
A champion of sport as a tool for peace
Thomas Bach remembered Pope Francis as a thoughtful intellectual, humble, and with a great sense of humor. “His deep passion for sport and Olympic values was always evident. I am forever grateful for the inspiration, encouragement, and support he offered to the Olympic Movement during our meetings,” said the IOC President.
Pope Francis was a strong advocate for the IOC’s refugee initiatives, which inspired the creation of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. This commitment also led to the establishment of the Olympic Refuge Foundation in 2017, a project the Pope enthusiastically followed and supported.
Conferences that united faith and sport
In 2016, under Pope Francis’ leadership, the Vatican, the United Nations, and the IOC organized the “Faith and Sport” conference, an event that highlighted the importance of sport as a bridge between cultures and religions. In 2022, the Pope presided over the “Sport for All” conference, reaffirming his commitment to sport as a means to promote inclusion and fraternity.
These initiatives reflect Pope Francis’ vision of sport as a tool to build a fairer and more united world, a message that deeply resonated within the Olympic Movement.
A message of fraternity at the Olympic Games
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Pope Francis expressed his joy at welcoming the entire world to this global event. In his words, the Olympic Games offered a unique opportunity to bear witness to authentic fraternity, something the world urgently needs.
During his final private audience with Thomas Bach in January of this year, the Pope congratulated the IOC for the message of solidarity and peace conveyed during the Paris 2024 Games. He also joined the Olympic Movement’s call for peace, reaffirming his commitment to the values that sport can promote in society.
