The Pontiff “hopes that this important event will foster sentiments of friendship and fraternity, strengthening awareness of the value of sport in the service of the integral development of the human person,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in his January 29 telegram.

The Pope prays “that these days of healthy competition will contribute to building bridges between cultures and peoples, promoting welcome, solidarity, and peace,” the prelate added.

Pope Leo was bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023.

Pope Leo XIV received participants in the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and praised the dicastery for its work over the past two years.

“An important question is the inculturation of faith,” Cardinal Parolin wrote in his letter, published on January 29. “It is not a question of adapting the Gospel to the world, but of finding in each culture the appropriate ways to proclaim the Word that does not fade away, enriching and serving human existence.”

“Faced with the evils that undermine society, such as tribalism, interethnic conflicts, wars, family divisions and so on, the Gospel calls for reconciliation and the pacification of hearts,” he added.

After discussing synodality and encouraging the bishops to listen to young people, Cardinal Parolin spoke of the importance of ministry to refugees:

Your communities are also shaken by the crisis of refugees and displaced persons. Be for them the Christ who bows down to their painful situations in order to heal them and give them the bread of consolation.

“A meaningful morning at the Vatican during an audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,” Metsola wrote on social media following the meeting. “Grateful for his clarity of purpose and for our shared reflections on advancing peace through dialogue across Europe and the world.”

The typical religious who professed perpetual vows in 2025 is a 35-year-old cradle Catholic who has three or more siblings and who regularly prayed the Rosary and took part in Eucharistic adoration before entering religious life, according to a survey released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.