Sports

The Latest

2016 NCAA Men's National Basketball Championship, Villanova vs. North Carolina.

Who's the chaplain behind college basketball's new champion?

Apr 10, 2016

By Matt Hadro

He had a courtside seat to a historic college basketball game, but Fr. Rob Hagan has actually witnessed many games... Read more

Basketball.

Evangelize through sports? One bishop and marathon veteran explains how

Nov 25, 2015

By Matt Hadro

For a veteran runner who’s completed 21 marathons, one bishop sees a deep connection between his Catholic faith and running,... Read more

Valeria Tkacik. Photo courtesy of Sports Up Today.

A triumph through remarkable trial - the story of one Catholic athlete

Oct 6, 2015

Remembering the words spoken by then-five year-old Valeria Tkacik still gives her mother, Anne, goose bumps.  Read more

Mountains.

Take a hike – and you just might find God, these trekkers say

Aug 12, 2015

Some people hike to compete, others to challenge themselves. But as the sport increases as a global trend, others have... Read more

2014 CONCACAF Champions League sponsored by FIFA.

'Is anyone surprised?' A Vatican response to the FIFA soccer scandal

Jun 2, 2015

Amid the new soccer corruption scandal that has rocked the sports world, a Vatican official has called for different sectors... Read more

Pope Francis with the Harlem Globetrotters at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, May 6, 2015.

Pope Francis to star athletes: Don't forget to go to Mass

May 7, 2015

By Elise Harris

On Thursday Pope Francis demonstrated his keen interest in uniting sports with faith, telling members of Italy's Lazio club not... Read more

Boys play soccer on a basketball court in Jerusalem.

For Holy Land youth, sports center to be ground for dialogue, peace

Dec 4, 2014

Franciscans in the Holy Land have launched a new project to bring together young people from different cultural and religious... Read more

Guido Schaffer, a Brazilian seminarian who drowned while surfing in 2009 and whose cause for beatification has been opened. Photo courtesty of guidoschaffer.com.br.

Beatification cause opened for Brazil's 'Surfer Angel'

Nov 12, 2014

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the cause of beatification of Guido Schaffer, who was a Brazilian... Read more

LIFE Runner and Vitae board member Rob Rysavy competes in the 2014 Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio on Sept. 20, 2014.

Witness through fitness: America's first pro-life half marathon

Oct 15, 2014

By Kate Veik

When three feet of snow canceled South Dakota’s Crazy Horse half and full marathons last October, thousands of runners were... Read more

Seminarians at Rome's North American College take part in the 2014 Labor Day softball game.

US seminarians in Rome kick-off first year with softball tradition

Sep 5, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Each year, the Pontifical North American College in Rome celebrates Labor Day by pitting its second-year seminarians against the newly-arrived... Read more

Javier 'Pupi' Zanetti speaks to the press after a match between Argentina and USA, June 8 2008.

Soccer stars to play inter-religious friendly match for peace

Jul 15, 2014

Retired soccer star Javier “Pupi” Zanetti, who was captain of the Argentinean national team and of Inter Milan in Italy,... Read more

A member of St. Peter's Cricket Club greets Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi during a June 23, 2014 press conference announcing their

Vatican cricket team to play Church of England in first tour

Jun 24, 2014

By Elise Harris

St. Peter’s Cricket team begins their “Light of Faith Tour” this fall, which includes a warm-up game against a team... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for the Italian Sporting Center's June 7 events.

Pope encourages athletes to play for the Church

Jun 7, 2014

Youth from around Italy turned St. Peter’s Square into a giant playing field on Saturday as they ran relays, played... Read more

Rebecca Dussault raced in the cross country skiing event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Dussault.

Put your faith first, Olympian encourages young Catholics

Feb 13, 2014

By Peter Zelasko

Olympic cross-country skier Rebecca Dussault recently spoke to a large crowd of young adults in Denver, exhorting them to put... Read more

MetLife Stadium on Jan. 20, 2014 prepares for Super Bowl 48 (XLVIII).

Super Bowl prompts efforts to battle human sex trafficking

Jan 28, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

As the 2014 Super Bowl approaches, officials from government and private agencies gathered in Washington, D.C., to testify about prevention... Read more

Don't reduce athletes to 'merchandise for profit,' Pope cautions

Nov 25, 2013

Pope Francis met with delegates of the European Olympic committee on Saturday, advising them to reject a consumerist mentality towards... Read more

Manny Pacquiao walks into the ring before his bout with Brandon Rios in their WBO International Welterweight title fight on Nov 24, 2013 in Macau.

Boxing champion dedicates victory to Filipino typhoon victims

Nov 25, 2013

Filipino champion boxer Manny Pacquiao dedicated his Nov. 24 win to all the victims of the recent Typhoon Haiyan, offering... Read more

Children run during a Vatican sports event on Oct. 20, 2013.

Catholic sports group immerses athletes in richness of faith

Oct 25, 2013

By Elise Harris

In light of recent events at the Vatican honoring the bond of sports and faith, one catholic organization revealed their... Read more

Participants in the Pontifical Council for Culture's sporting event gather in front of St. Peter's square on Oct. 20, 2013.

Vatican event brings sports 'into the heart' of the Church

Oct 22, 2013

The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture held a conference on “believers in the world of sports” this week to discuss... Read more

Olympic medalist Jason Gardner in St. Peter's Square Oct. 20.

Olympic gold medalist credits nuns for inspiration

Oct 20, 2013

At a Vatican athletic event promoting the connection between faith and sports, British Olympic gold medalist runner Jason Gardener credited... Read more