Vatican City, 26 July, 2021 / 7:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis offered his blessing on Sunday to athletes competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In his Angelus address on July 25, the pope noted that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad began in Japan on July 23.
“Last Friday, the 32nd Olympic Games opened in Tokyo. In this time of pandemic, may these Games be a sign of hope, a sign of universal brotherhood under the banner of healthy competition,” he said.
“God bless the organizers, the athletes, and all those who collaborate in this great festival of sport!”
The world’s most-viewed international sporting event was postponed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event, which ends on Aug. 9, is taking place largely without spectators.