Pope Leo XIV addresses 159 cyclists before they take a noncompetitive ride around Vatican City on the day of the last leg of the international Giro d’Italia multistage bicycle race on June 1, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool
Vatican City, Jun 3, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).
PopeLeoXIVonSundayblessedthecyclistsoftheGirod’Italiabeforethelastlegofthemultistageinternationalrace,tellingthemtheyareallwelcomeintheCatholicChurch.
Addressingthe159cyclistsinasquarejustinsideVaticanCity,thepopesaidinEnglish:“MayGodblessallofyouonthislastpartoftheGirod’Italia.Congratulationstoallofyou,andmayyouknowthatyouarealwayswelcomehereintheVatican,youarealwayswelcomedbytheChurch,whichrepresentsGod’sloveforallpeople.”
PopeLeoXIVwatchesas159world-classcyclistsstartaridethroughVaticanCitybeforethelaststageoftheGirod’ItaliacompetitiononJune1,2025.Credit:DanielIbáñez/EWTNNews/VaticanPoolInashortaddressinItalian,Leopraisedcyclingasanimportantsport,remindingtheworld-classathletesthattheyaremodelsformanyyoungpeople.
“AndIhopet
