Pope Leo XIV received in audience the athletes of Athletica Vaticana who participated in the Mediterranean Games – Taranto 2026, under the coordination of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Culture and Education.

The Pope was symbolically presented with a padel racket and a jersey from the Vatican cycling team, bearing the signatures of many athletes representing the 26 Olympic Committees from Africa, Asia and Europe that make up the Mediterranean region and participate in the Games.

The participation of Athletica Vaticana at Taranto 2026, with four athletes competing in padel, fencing and cycling – Fabrizio Peloni, Tiziano Lucarelli, Daniele Fontana and Emiliano Morbidelli – followed the vision expressed by Pope Leo XIV of making sport a “prophecy of peace and fraternity among peoples” (Angelus, 16 August).

Particularly significant was the presence of the Cross of Athletes in the Cathedral of Taranto throughout the duration of the Games.

During this morning’s meeting with representatives of Athletica Vaticana at Taranto 2026, the Pope also encouraged Diego Di Mattia, 24, who will compete at the World Taekwondo Championships in Korea from 16 to 21 September.