Pope's June prayer intention: 'for the values of sports'

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholics across the globe to join him this June in praying for the values of sports.

He released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video on Thursday, which is prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

In his prayer, the Pope recognized the great benefits but also the inherent challenges in the world of sport, and prayed that sporting events may promote peace and fraternity.

School of fraternity, peace, and encounter

He thanks the Lord for "the gift of sport, for those who glorify God through the exercise of their bodies, for the friendships born on the field, and the joy of playing as a team.”

As Pope Leo recalls how the Lord teaches us “that in life, as in the game, no one is saved alone,” the Holy Father insists we “need others to grow, to learn respect, to overcome our limits, and to celebrate together the victories we achieve.”

Thus, Pope Leo prays that sport “may always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence.”

Uniting people and growing closer to Christ

“May those who play, train or cheer,” the Pope said, “discover in sport a universal language that brings cultures together, unites peoples, and sows respect, solidarity, and personal growth.”

He also prays that every sport “become a parable of life lived with you, working with joy and effort, living with humility in defeat and with gratitude in the victory you offer in your Resurrection.”

“May your Spirit,” the Holy Father concluded, “never be lacking in us, making us one team, united with you to build communion and fraternity in history.”

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network

 Founded in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Work entrusted to the Society of Jesus.

In December 2020, Pope Francis established this Pontifical Work as a Vatican Foundation and approved its final statutes in July 2024.

It is present in over 92 countries, forming a spiritual community of more than 22 million people who seek to live each day with availability to God’s mission.

At the center of its mission are the monthly prayer intentions of the Pope, inviting its members to focus on the pressing challenges facing humanity and the Church’s mission.