International Conference on Sport and Spirituality to be Held in Rome

Some 200 participants are set to gather in Rome on May 16-18 for the international conference “Putting our lives on the line” organized by the Vatican and the French Embassy to the Holy See ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.

In the framework of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the French Embassy to the Holy See and the Vatican Dicastery for Culture are organizing an international conference on Sport and Spirituality. Titled “Putting our lives on the line” (“Mettere la vita in gioco” in Italian), the event will bring together professional, paralympic, and amateur athletes, representatives of international sports bodies, managers of sports clubs, university students, and agents of pastoral care in sports.

The conference will explore the spiritual implications of sports, a topic that has been highlighted by Pope Francis and Cardinal José Tolentino Mendonça. The event aims to understand the connection between sports and spirituality, as well as the role of sports in building a more fraternal and fair society.

Participants will discuss the relationship between the Church and sports, the impact of sports on individuals, and the social relevance of sports. The conference will feature testimonies from high-level athletes, reflections from experts in various fields, and a solidarity sporting event to showcase the social importance of sports.

With a focus on the spiritual dimension of sports, the conference seeks to answer fundamental questions about the role of sports in society and the message it conveys to the Church. The event promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging platform for dialogue and reflection on the intersection of sports and spirituality.