//In 1905 a major international gymnastics event was hosted at the Vatican, during which the pope gave a speech that is considered the first Vatican manifesto on sport.
“I admire and bless from my heart all your games and pastimes, gymnastics, cycling, mountaineering, boating, running, walks, competitions, contests and academies, to which you devote yourselves,” the pope told participants. “Because the material exercises of the body will admirably influence the exercises of the spirit; because these entertainments, while requiring work, will remove you from idleness, which is the father of vices; and because finally the same friendly competitions will be in you an image of emulation in the exercise of virtue.”//
Read more: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/08/st-pius-x-founded-sporting-tradition-in-the-vatican/
