On that occasion, John Paul II also said that this sport can serve to encourage young people “to learn the great values of life and to spread everywhere the great virtues that are the basis of a worthy human society, such as tolerance, respect for human dignity, peace, and brotherhood.”
The Mexican priest said that “we are close to experiencing an unprecedented World Cup, after the COVID-19 pandemic that paralyzed the world, held in an unusual month that has involved advancing local tournaments and mobilizing many actualities, in a country like Qatar, one of the most influential nations in the world and highly criticized, not only for the conditions of migrant workers but for many other factors.”
“In the midst of the impact of a crisis caused by the pandemic, an accelerated change in the time of the year and the impact of a war between Russia and Ukraine, we are called to build peace and harmony in our neighborhoods and communities,” he said.
Jasso encouraged “making the most important soccer festival in the world a festival of peace and for peace.”
“Let’s experience and enjoy our own local tournament in its final phase, moving away from these events that affect people, families, and communities around a sport that is played all over the world for its simplicity, closeness (to the people), and emotions,” he encouraged.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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