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                               VIS-Press releases

SPORT, A SCHOOL OF HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN VALUES

VATICAN CITY, 15 NOV 2010 (VIS) - At midday today the Pope received a group of
Italian ski instructors accompanied by Franco Frattini, minister for Foreign
Affairs whom he thanked for his efforts to ensure that many Catholics, injured
in recent attacks in Iraq, have been brought to Italy to receive medical
attention.

On the subject of sport the Holy Father affirmed that, "if practiced
passionately and ethically, apart from fomenting a healthy spirit of
competition, it becomes a school in which to learn and develop human and
Christian values. ... Through sporting activity people gain a better
understanding that the body cannot be considered as an object but that, though
corporeity, it expresses itself and comes into relation with others. Thus, a
balance between the physical and the spiritual dimensions ensures we do not
idolise the body but respect it; not making it an instrument to be improved at
all costs, perhaps even using illicit means".

Skiing in the mountains, "contemplating creation, man recognises the greatness
of God, the ultimate source of his own being and of the universe", said the
Pope. "It must not be forgotten that the relationship with creation represents
an important element in the development of human identity, and not even man's
sin eliminated his duty to be the custodian of the world. Sporting activity can
also be considered and lived as part of this responsibility. Scientific and
technological progress give man the possibility to intervene and manipulate
nature, but the ever-present risk is that of wishing to replace the Creator and
reduce creation almost to the status of a product to be used and consumed.

"What", the Holy Father added, "is the right attitude to
take? Certainly, it is
that of a feeling of profound gratitude and recognition, but also of
responsibility to conserve and cultivate the work of God. Sporting activity
helps to achieve this goal, by influencing lifestyle which is thus oriented
towards balance, self-discipline and respect. For you in particular, the
contact with nature is a reason to cultivate a profound love towards God's
creation".

Benedict XVI expressed the view that the role of ski instructors "is important
both for healthy sports training and for education in environmental respect. It
is, then, a task not to be carried out in isolation but in understanding with
families, especially when your pupils are children, and in collaboration with
schools and other educational institutions. Another important aspect is your
witness as lay faithful who, in the context of sporting activities, can give a
correct focus to certain fundamental moments for the life of the faith,
especially the sanctification of Sunday, the day of the Lord".
AC/VIS 20101115 (450)

SUMMARY

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