Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement (from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Beginnings of the Third Millennium)
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Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, vol. 1/2013
Section III – Sport and sport management
Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement
(from the Mid-Nineteenth Century
to the Beginnings of the Third Millennium)
by
Mirosław Ponczek1, Adam Fryc2
1 The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
2 Stanisław Ligoń Vocational School, Piekary Śląskie, Poland
Abstract
The aim of the article is to examine the sources, keynote themes and consequences of the popes’
teaching (from Pius IX to Benedict XVI) on sport. The question is discussed against a background of
processes determining the position and standpoints of the Holy See from the mid-nineteenth century to
2010 as well as of the supreme pontiffs’ personal youthful sports experiences and later interests in the
sphere of human activity. The methods of comprehensive analyses of historical sources, deduction,
induction, comparison and description were used to prepare the study. The authors managed to collect a
significant number of data, documents and other materials which enabled to point out the main
dimensions of the papal teaching as far as sport was concerned.
The sports movement grew rapidly from the mid-nineteenth century, which is why the Roman Catholic
Church was forced to formulate her attitude to this phenomenon. From the beginning of the twentieth
century the question was relatively often referred to by the leaders of the Church. Popes appreciated the
moral values inherent in sport as well as its significant social and educational roles. It seems that the
papal teaching concerning the question of physical culture manifested itself in its fullness during the
pontificate of John Paul II. He comprehended the field of activity in deeply axiological categories.
However, such a standpoint was rooted in a humanistic reflection and traditions of Catholicism and
instruction of his predecessors on the throne of Saint Peter.
Key words: Papacy, Roman Catholic Church, physical culture, moral and educational values
Introduction supreme leaders of the Church – seemed to
be a crucial part of the process. This article
On the assumption that the mission of
examines the sources and main dimensions
the Roman Catholic Church goes beyond
of their teaching as far as the modern sports
history, nobody should be surprised by the
movement is concerned. The authors have
obvious fact sport has never been the focus
based the paper on papal statements as well
of her attention. Nevertheless, as the
as on a selection of treatises.
importance of sport continued to grow from
the nineteenth century onwards, the Church The past 160 years was a peculiar period
attempted to define her standpoint towards in the history of the papacy. Its position has
the phenomenon. The views of the popes – changed radically in the modernizing world
Mirosław Ponczek
The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Mikołowska 72a, Poland
tel. (+48) 32 207 51 00; e-mail: m.ponczek@awf.katowice.pl
Accepted for printing in Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management vol. 1/2013 on May 2013 111Ponczek M., Fryc A. – Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement...
(while comparing with the earlier feudal stated that, ‘wherefore seeing we also are
relations). However, new approaches have compassed about with so great a cloud of
often been shaped slowly in the face of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and
rapid political and social processes. the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let
Zygmunt Zieliński underlined that as far as us run with patience the race that is set
the social life was concerned ‘the attitude of before us’ (Heb 12:1). Preaching to the
alienation from everything that did not Roman Catholic participants of the 1948
result from the recommendations and Summer Olympic Games Cardinal Griffin
principles of the Church, that had been remarked that the Apostle of Nations
characteristic up until the 1870s, gradually ‘speaks of the games without even a
softened’, but originally the evolution suspicion of criticism or disapproval. He
meant, in fact, the Church’s permanent sees in them beyond their immediate utility
retreat under the pressure of hostile a great symbol of the whole of Christian life
circumstances. ‘Creative cooperation in and thereby immeasurably ennobles their
shaping the reality was the phenomenon conception’ (Sermon…, 1948). The question
noticeable from the 1920s’. It turned out to was also discussed in 1978 by Cardinal
be possible after the Holy See had accepted Antoine Samoré. He referred to one of the
‘the multiformity of human culture and had passages included in the First Epistle to
acknowledged this not to be contrary to Timothy: ‘for physical exercises are good for
evangelization’ (Zieliński, 1986). Crucial very little, while piety is good for all things,
transformations within the Church that for if possesses promise for this life and the
took place just after the Second World War future life’ (1 Tim 4:7-8). The head of the
opened the way to the Second Vatican Vatican Library and Archives commented
Council (1962-65). Its participants managed then that ‘the Apostle does not associate
to decipher the signs of the times, so the himself here with the opponents of physical
results of the momentous event eased the exercise, but only wants to accentuate its
adaptation of the Church to the modernity limits’ (Samoré, 1978).
and the entrance – under the leadership of From antiquity motor activities were
pope John Paul II – to the third millennium
recommended by several great Christian
of Christianity. thinkers of different historical epochs.
Leaders of the Church and physical These included Clemens of Alexandria,
culture before the nineteenth century Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Cardinal
Enea Silvio de Piccolomini (later pope Pius
In fact, links between sport and
II) (Ponczek, 2007). They considered the
Christianity date back almost to the origins
health of the human body as desirable as
of the religion. Evidence of this can be found
the good condition of the soul. Pope Paul II
in the Holy Bible, with sports terminology
also allowed equestrian races and running
being referred to by St. Paul on several
competitions to be held in mediaeval Rome.
occasions. In his Second Epistle to Timothy
Conversely however, the Christian leaders
he wrote: ‘If anyone competes as an athlete,
did condemn those aspects of sport that
he does not receive the victor’s crown
were not deemed to be compatible with
unless he competes according to the rules’
their vision of social order. This included
(2 Tim 2:5) and, ‘I have fought the good
fights to the death between gladiators –
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
popular in the ancient Roman Empire – or
the faith. Now there is in store for me the
the bloody folk football games that
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
developed in Britain and other parts of
righteous Judge, will award to me on that
Europe from the Middle Ages onwards
day’ (2 Tim 4:7-8).
(Peiser, 1997).
In the Epistle to the Hebrews Paul also
Popes of the nineteenth century (Pius IX
112Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, vol. 1/2013
and Leo XIII) and sport Pius IX’s attitude towards sport in general
as in his youth he had practiced
In the second half of the nineteenth
equestrianism and fencing and played
century modern sport was only finding its
billiards (in spite of the fact he suffered
place in the everyday life of developed
from epilepsy).
European societies. That was why it
remained at the margin of interest of the His successor – pope Leo XIII did not
Roman Catholic Church at that time. What refer to the sport question directly.
was more, the rapidly changing political and Nevertheless, he did stress the necessity of
social situation made it very difficult for ensuring sufficient free time for industrial
Church leaders to implement their views workers in the Rerum Novarum encyclical,
effectively. Secularization, initiated in the issued in 1891. In 1892 one of the members
period of Enlightenment, was ever- of the Celtic FC committee, Ned McGinn,
widening and slowly limited the Church’s tried to draw the pope’s attention to the
effect on different aspects of life successes of the team that had strong
(Dziubiński, 2007). Risorgimento – the connections with the Catholic clergy of
national movement to re-unite all the states Glasgow. He sent a special telegram to the
of the Apennine Peninsula under the rule of Vatican, but received no response. Of
the dynasty of Savoy succeeded in the course, it is hard to imagine any pope of that
foundation of the Kingdom of Italy. One of period to have been involved in
the consequences of this process was a correspondence with a football
significant reduction of the political administrator. Still this trivial fact,
influence of the papacy. The role of pope unearthed by David W. Potter in his Willie
within the Church was also disputed (in the Maley: The Man Who Made Celtic, can
context of papal infallibility in particular) symbolize the indifferent attitude of the
and remained one of the key questions of Holy See towards sport at the turn of the
the First Vatican Council (1869-1870). nineteenth century (Potter, 2004).
Nevertheless, some (rare) references to Breakthrough of Pius X’s pontificate
sport can be found in papal lectures of the
Pius X (Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, 1903-
nineteenth century, enunciated by Pius IX 14) paid much more attention to sport. As a
(Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, 1846-78) seminarian he had taken part in sports
and Leo XIII (Gioacchino Vincenzo Raphaelo rivalries eagerly and later – as the
Aloisio Pecci, 1878-1903). The question of archbishop of Venice – he used to donate
sport appeared in Pius IX’s Ubi Primum (On prizes to the champions of the gondoliers’
Discipline For Religious) encyclical regattas.
promulgated in 1847. Turning to ‘All
Supreme Moderators, Abbots, Provincials Elected pope in 1903, he soon invited
and Other Superiors of the Regular Orders’ members of the Roman Gymnastic Society
the pope ordered them to guard their to perform in his presence in the Vatican
subordinates’ ‘holy discipline and oppose gardens. On the occasion he stated that
the attractions, sports, and business if the exercising one’s body helped a person to
world which they have renounced’. Instead develop desirable virtues and to adhere to
the monks were supposed to ‘press on with the faith. In 1905 Pius X met with the father
unceasing prayer and the recollection, of modern Olympism Pierre de Coubertin at
teaching and reading of heavenly things’ the Vatican and expressed his positive
(Pius IX, 1847). However, it must be attitude towards the project of the 1908
remembered that Ubi Primum was a Summer Olympic Games to be held in Rome.
specific document dedicated to the The supreme pontiff even promised to
improvement of monastic life exclusively. It present a special award for the winners of
cannot be considered as the reflection of the rowing competition (Ponczek, 2009b).
113Ponczek M., Fryc A. – Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement...
However, the Olympiad was organized in physical culture, the pope opened an era of
London finally. more intensive relations between the
papacy and sports environments.
In 1914 the pope granted a private
audience to American baseball players of Pius XI and Pius XII – sports lovers on
the New York Giants and the Chicago White the papal throne
Sox, who were touring Europe at that time. It is known that Benedict XV (Giacomo
Sporting Life reported on the early papal della Chiesa) had gone in for sports in his
audience for the athletes as follows: ‘It was youth to recuperate a little as he was not
an impressive affair, all the men being in full the picture of health. Still his pontificate
dress and the ladies attired in black. They (1914-22) coincided with the period of the
assembled in the throne room and were First World War and so he had far more
escorted to the private chapel, where all crucial questions than sport on which to
knelt. Then the Pope entered, smiled focus. However, his successor, Pius XI
beneficently, and pronounced a blessing on (Achille Ratti, 1922-39) followed in Pius X’s
all present. The Pope thanked the
footsteps and showed some interest in the
Americans in a short address praised them issue. Pius XI’s attitude towards sport was
and their families, for their visit, and partly a product of his own early life. In his
practice of athletic sports for the day he was a leading Italian alpinist and
strengthening of the body and at the same described his adventures in a book entitled
time the practice of religion to strengthen Climbs on Alpine Peaks, expressing the
the soul. After imparting the Apostolic advantages of physical effort as follows:
Benediction, the Pope placed his hand on ‘Difficulties and discomforts, if faced under
the heads of the children of James Callaihan suitable conditions, and with the requisite
and then left the room. Dr. Charles O’Hern, precautions, disappear, leaving body and
of the American College, interpreted for the mind refreshed and strengthened, with an
Pope. After the audience the party was imperishable memory of those great and
escorted to the chamber of state where they marvellous scenes »che di vederli in me
met Cardinal Merry del Val, who spoke stesso m’ esalto« (Dante, Inferno, IV, 130)’
knowingly of base ball. He expressed the (Ratti, 1923).
opinion that it was more interesting and
spectacular than cricket, and said he was In 1899 the future pope had even hoped
pleased at meeting the stars of the to join Prince Luigi Amedeo di Savoia’s
American teams. The Cardinal wished all a expedition to the North Pole, but finally the
pleasant stay in Rome and a safe return’ famous traveler refused to include a priest
(Sporting Life, 21 February 1914). in the team.
Pius X’s affirmation of sport also During his pontificate Pius XI delivered
appeared in some of his addresses: to the speeches on physical culture on several
young members of the Italian Catholic occasions, e.g. at the opening ceremony of
Gymnastic Societies (1905), to the the 1922 European Catholic Gymnastic
participants of the International Gymnastics Competition in Rome as well as in two of his
and Sports Competition (1908), and to encyclicals: Divini ilius magistri (On
those present at the 1st Congress of the Christian Education, 1929) and Mit
Union Internationale des Oeuvres brennender Sorge (On the Situation of the
Catholiques d’Education Physique (1911). Roman Catholic Church in the Third Reich,
1937). In his opinion sport and other forms
As far as the discussed issues are of physical culture were components of
concerned, Pius X’s pontificate can be proper Christian education of young
considered a breakthrough of a kind. generation, besides liturgy, art, amusement
Showing some interest in the problems of and godliness: ‘physical education, when
114Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, vol. 1/2013
practiced with moderation and on purpose, riches on the grounds of their poverty’
is beneficial to all youth’ (Ponczek, 2009a). (Following…, 1959).
Simultaneously, the pope opposed the Sport, according to his views, appears
involvement of youngsters in military not as an end but a means. It is an
training even as a preparation for the instrument for the formation and perfect
defense of the homeland. Pius XI also education of a person. Pius XII’s statements
spotted the dark side of modern sport, constituted the principle of the Catholic
criticizing some of its degenerating teaching as far as sport was concerned for
features; excessive athleticism in particular. several decades.
Like his predecessor, Pius XII (Eugenio John XXIII and Paul VI – popes of the
Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli, 1939-58) Second Vatican Council and sport
had some sporting experiences in his youth.
According to some sources, he used to swim Among the most spectacular events of
and ride horseback. Being a student in the short pontificate of John XXIII (Angelo
seminary Pacelli practiced boxing (‘and it Giuseppe Roncalli, 1958-63) there was an
wasn’t just shadow-boxing’, he once audience given to the participants of the
confessed). Later his favorite way of 1960 Summer Olympic Games at St. Peter’s
spending free time was mountaineering in Place in Rome. In his speech on that
the Swiss Alps. Even as the head of the occasion the pope (who was said to be a
Roman Catholic Church he exercised every supporter of the Atalanta Bergamo soccer
morning. side) repeated the most important points of
the Church approach to the question of
The first years of Pius XII’s papal sport: ‘It is not the prize offered in the race
ministry coincided with the Second World but the correct exercising of the body that
War. In the gloomy period the pope was merits the higher esteem. Home life, indeed,
almost totally preoccupied with appeals for and a proper tradition in the training and
peace as well as efforts to efficiently help education of the young bid us be on our
the victims, prisoners of war, and the guard, in athletic contests, against giving
persecuted. On a larger scale he could pay
exclusive attention to the body as if to man’s
his attention to different aspect of social life supreme good, and against a cult of
(including physical culture) only after the gymnastics (such as sometimes happens)
great conflict had come to an end. Then Pius which can hinder the due carrying out of
XII gave several audiences to sports accepted obligations. It is certain, however,
administrators, including members of the that healthy bodily exercises and athletic
International Olympic Committee, who had contests of good repute should always be
the privilege of meeting him at the Vatican held in honor and strongly recommended.
in 1949. Three years later he delivered a In fact, a number of qualities, which are
speech to the scientific congress dedicated endowments and distinctions of no little
to activities in the field of gymnastics and value, are fostered in man by means of
sport. athletics; with regard to the body, there are
Pius XII also appreciated the role of health, physical strengths and agility, graced
physical activities in the educational and beauty; with regard to the soul:
processes. He pointed out that ‘if you are perseverance, courage and the practice of
convinced that sport improves and self-denial’ (Speech by the Pope John
strengthens the body, trains the mind and XXIII…, 1960).
urges it towards the attainment of the A special audience for the members of
greatest victories, you cannot possibly the International Olympic Committee also
tolerate the fact that a great number of took place in Castel Gandolfo and soon
young people should be deprived of these afterwards, in Rome, John XXIII met
115Ponczek M., Fryc A. – Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement...
sportsmen and sportswomen with the Sokol Gymnastic Society. Later, even as
disabilities, who had participated in the a high-ranking Church authority he used to
Stoke Mandeville Games. spend time skiing, swimming, kayaking, and
climbing mountains. At the beginning of his
Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini, 1963-
pontificate John Paul II had a tennis court
78) was the fourth pope to meet with the
and a swimming pool built for his private
leaders of the international Olympic
use and for several years he spent some of
movement. He did so twice: in 1966 and in
his leisure time skiing in the Italian region
1975. In 1972, on the occasion of a general
of Abruzzo (Kerrigan 1992).
audience, the pope articulated his deep
sorrow because of the bloody terrorist The pope, called ‘the God’s Athlete’, met
attack against the Israeli participants of the people connected with sport on numerous
Munich Olympic Games (Discorso…, 1972). occasions. Among those entertained by him
Paul VI also received the Manchester United at the Apostolic Palace or at his Castel
soccer team and presidents of the Italian Gandolfo residence there were for example,
sports federations. According to his members of the International Olympic
enunciations, the supreme pontiff Committee, members of the European
appreciated the educational values of sport Union of Football Associations (UEFA), the
and its contribution to mutual national football teams of Argentina,
understanding of people representing Ireland, and Poland, the Ferrari Formula 1
different cultures, languages, and religions. team, and the participants of the 1979
He also stated that ‘sport [...] brings about European, African and Mediterranean
self-control and domination of instincts, and Water Skiing Championships. The pope was
it predisposes the awakening of the spirit’ also an honorary member of several sports
(Paul VI, 1975). societies including FC Barcelona (Parés et
al., ca 2007).
The Second Vatican Council (1962-65)
was initiated by pope John XXIII and A special religious gathering for
continued by Paul VI. This momentous sportsmen was organized in the city of
event extricated the Church from the Elbląg during the pilgrimage of John Paul II
surrounded citadel’s syndrome and to his native Poland in 1999. A year later, on
initiated the modernization of the fossilized the occasion of the Jubilee of Sportsmen and
institution. One of the results of the Second the Jubilee of 2000 Years of Christianity a
Vatican Council was the Church’s greater mass was celebrated by the pope at the
openness towards different aspects of Olympic Stadium in Rome. After the solemn
modernity: including sport. ceremony John Paul II – the first ever head
of the Roman Catholic Church in the history
‘God’s Athlete’ at the head of the Church
of modern physical culture to do so – was
The very short 33-day-long reign of John an eyewitness of several sports
Paul I (Albino Luciani, 1978), was followed competitions. The program of the event
by the pontificate of John Paul II (Karol (attended by approximately 30,000
Wojtyła). This period in the history of the spectators) included a wheel-chair race for
Roman Catholic Church (1978-2005) disabled athletes, a 100 m race for junior
contained spectacular events concerning runners, and a soccer game between Italy
the sphere of sport. and the Rest of the World, featuring
The pope’s positive attitude towards international stars such as Gabriel Batistuta,
physical culture undoubtedly grew out of Gianluigi Buffon, Edgar Davids, Allessandro
his own experiences. In his youth he played Del Piero, Paolo Maldini, Andrij Shevchenko,
as a goalkeeper for a hometown Wadowice Francesco Totti, and Gianfranco Zola. The
soccer team and had also joined a branch of match ended in a goalless draw (2002
Almanacco…, 2001).
116Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, vol. 1/2013
During the sermons delivered at the incapable, that is, of seeing the full truth, of
above-mentioned occasions, John Paul II understanding the deep meaning of life,
produced several other more or less especially when faced with the darkness of
significant statements on physical culture. evil and death. Even the greatest champion
Several entries pertaining to sport were finds himself defenseless before the
also included in the New Catechism, fundamental questions of life and needs
published in 1992. The work offered a your light to overcome the demanding
thorough explanation of the doctrine and challenges that a human being is called to
social teaching of the Roman Catholic face’. The pope ended this speech with a
Church. prayer: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, help these
athletes to be your friends and witnesses to
To strengthen the pastoral care of
your love. Help them […] to achieve a
athletes, in 2004 the pope set up a special
harmonious and cohesive unity of body and
department of the Pontifical Council for Lay
soul. […] Help them always to be athletes of
People and nominated American priest
the spirit, to win your inestimable prize: an
Kevin Lixey as its leader. In the opinion of
imperishable crown that lasts forever’
John Paul II sporting events were great
(Jubilee…, 2000).
opportunities ‘to establish friendly contacts
between different peoples [...] transcending Consequently, John Paul II’s teaching led
all racial, cultural, political and religious to the foundation of a new branch within
divisions’ (His Holiness…, 1979). theology – the so called ‘theology of sport’.
Addressing members of the International Shortly after the death of John Paul II in
Olympic Committee, the pope stated that: 2005, Gianni Patrucci, Chairman of the
‘when sport is practiced in a healthy way, it Italian Olympic Committee, described him
exalts the dignity of the human body as the ‘pope of the sportsmen’.
without risking idolatry. The Church sees Stimulated by the example of John Paul
sport as a mighty element of moral and II, episcopates of several countries as well
social education. It is a true school of as cardinals, archbishops, and bishops as
loyalty, sincerity, fair play, sacrifice, individuals, also issued letters and
courage, strength, endurance, solidarity and messages concerning sport (Ponczek,
respect’. John Paul II also expressed his 2004). These included: The Letter of the
negative views on the disadvantages of Episcopate of Poland On Some Dangers in
modern sport, such as ‘violence, injustice, Health and Sport (1991), The Olympic
fraud, greed for money, economical and Games: A Message of Welcome from
political pressure and discrimination’ Australia’s Catholic Bishops (2000), Life in
(Speech of Pope John Paul II…, 1982). all its fullness. Pastoral Letter from the Irish
It must be emphasized, however, that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to mark the
pope looked into the questions even in a far European Year of People with Disabilities
wider – transcendental dimension. He and the Special Olympics Summer Games
perceived sports activities as possible ways (2003) as well as Standing up for ‘the good
of improving a man’s relation to the competitions’. A Speech of the Episcopate of
Almighty. In his homily sermonized to the Poland on the Educational Values of Sport
people of sport on October 29, 2000 the (2004).
leader of the Catholic Church stated that a In 2006 a book Więcej sportu... (More
‘human person exercises his body, intellect Sport…) was published by Cardinal
and will, recognizing these abilities as so Stanisław Dziwisz in close cooperation with
many gifts of his Creator. […] And those, like two journalists: Grzegorz Milko and Filip
the athlete, who are at the peak of their Surma. In the long interview the former
strength recognize that without you, O personal secretary of John Paul II described
Christ, they are inwardly like the blind man,
117Ponczek M., Fryc A. – Catholic Popes and the Modern Sports Movement...
both the pope’s and his own sporting environment’ (Benedict XVI, 2005). In a
fascinations. Two years later the Field speech delivered in 2007 he congratulated
Bishop of the Polish Military Forces the soccer team of Iraq on having won the
Tadeusz Płoski* greeted the competitors in title of Asian Champions. The same year the
that year’s Tour de Pologne cycling race in pope greeted the participants of the 12th
his special dispatch. European Maccabi Games, also held in the
Eternal City. In 2009 the Holy Father
*Bishop Tadeusz Płoski was killed in an air
addressed athletes taking part in the Tour
crash in Smolensk, Russian Federation on
de France bicycle race, who were passing
April 10, 2010. He was a member of the
not far away from the place where he was
President of Poland Lech Kaczyński’s
spending his holidays. Benedict XVI also
delegation traveling to commemorate the
met with the head of the 2006 World Cup
70th anniversary of the massacre in the Katyń
Forest. Organizing Committee, the well-known
former German international soccer player
More attention has also been paid to the Franz Beckenbauer. An event of a symbolic
question of pastoral care of sports dimension took place in September 2010.
environments. Special pilgrimages and On the second day of the Benedict XVI’s
services are held especially for them in papal visit to the United Kingdom, the pope
those countries where Catholicism remains took part in a ceremony to mark the
well-rooted, while clubs and associations inauguration of the John Paul II Institute of
often employ special spiritual protectors. Sport (Magnificat…, 2010). Addressing to
The Question of sport during the first the participants of the event (and to the
years of the pontificate of Benedict XVI pupils in particular) he assured them: ‘I
pray that all who come here will give glory
Unlike several of his predecessors, pope to God through their sporting activities, as
Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) did not well as bringing enjoyment to themselves
play sports in his youth too eagerly. and to others’ (Address…, 2010).
Nevertheless, he continues their line of
papal teaching in respect of such activity. It Conclusion
is worth mentioning that long before Robert Tekieli, a Polish Roman Catholic
acceding to the throne of St. Peter Joseph publicist, observed once that sport – besides
Ratzinger had devoted one of his articles to the modern science and the Hollywood
the popularity of the soccer World Cup. In movies – was the main factor shaping the
that text the future pope made it clear that universal culture of our globe. In a sense he
he appreciated the values of the game as a followed in pope Pius XII’s footsteps, who
way of developing human self-control and had stated several decades ago: ‘Sport
‘disciplined’ co-existence with other people. assumed such-proportions [...] that it
However, he warned that such advantages constitutes a phenomenon typical of the
could easily be destroyed by the society of today’ (Following …, 1959). Since
commercialism that has changed the game the Roman Catholic Church has always paid
into ‘an illusion-bearing industry on attention to all man’s problems, the interest
unheard-of scale’ (Ratzinger, 2007). of her supreme leaders in the issues
As a pope, he referred to the problem of surrounding sport has been growing slowly
sport after the Angelus prayers on June 5, but constantly (and particularly since the
2005 expressing his believe that ‘sport pontificate of pope Pius X). The positive
practiced in a healthy and harmonious way attitude of a succession of pontiffs towards
at all levels will encourage brotherhood and sport was founded in their own former
solidarity between people as well as respect personal involvement. They perceived the
and an appreciation of the natural human body as a ‘masterpiece of creation’
that should be respected and cared by
118Journal of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management, vol. 1/2013
everyone as a God’s gift. The emblematic a brotherhood of nations. Simultaneously
Church personages also appreciated the they did not hesitate to criticize all
social role of sport in the modern world, as degenerating attributes that potentially led
a tool of a personal moral and spiritual contemporary sporting life towards
development as well as a potential source of collapse.
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