MESSAGE OF JOHN PAUL II 
TO THE ATHLETES, POLITICIANS AND DIGNITARIES
OF ITALIAN, ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN CULTURE 
TAKING PART IN THE "MATCH OF THE HEART"

I send my cordial greetings to the participants in this spectacular event which sees athletes, artists, politicians and dignitaries of Italian, Israeli and Palestinian culture meeting at Rome's Olympic Stadium for a friendly and extraordinary "Match of the Heart". I express my appreciation of this remarkable initiative, which aims at strengthening the culture of acceptance and dialogue among the Italian, Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Sports, a stimulating vehicle of human and moral values, can also help the world to be more fraternal and united. May this "Match of the Heart" encourage you, dear friends from different nations and cultures, to know one another better and to advance on the path of mutual respect and reciprocal esteem. In this friendly match may solidarity and peace be the real winners.

In this way may your message of hope be spread from the Olympic Stadium: sports too can help build peace.

From the Vatican, 25 May 2000.

© Copyright 2000 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana