Pope Leo XIV greeted and blessed this afternoon the cyclists of the Tour of Italy, during the last stage of the competition, after 21 days, as he passed through the Vatican in a gesture with which he has paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died last April 21 at 88 years.
“Know that you are models for young people around the world. People love the Tour of Italy, and not only in Italy. Cycling is very important, such as sport in general,” said the American pontiff before imparting the blessing for which the cyclists took off their helmets.
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The Pope started the speech, who has improvised, in Italian: “It is a pleasure to greet them in this last stage of the Giro de Italia. I hope it is a really beautiful day for all of you.”
In addition, he asked the athletes that, just as they have “learned to take care of the body, the spirit is always blessed.” And he added: “That you are always attentive to the whole human being: body, mind, heart and spirit.”
He then addressed a few words in English: “Congratulations to everyone and that you know that you are always welcome here in the Vatican, you are always welcome by the Church that represents God’s love for all men.”
The platoon led by the Mexican Isaac del Toro with a slight margin over the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz arrived around 15:45 (local time) neutralized to the city of the Vatican. Then the cyclists entered the Plaza de San Pedro and set foot on the presence of the Pope.
Next, the pontiff shown the hands of Simon Yates, such as Maglia Rosa, Isaac del Toro, Maillot Blanco, Lorenzo Fortunato, the best climber and Mads Pedersen, Maglia “Cicuito” by points like winners in the diverse.
The group of cyclists starred in an exceptional tour of the interior of the city of the Vatican, in non -competitive modality, within the framework of the activities that precede the jubilee of the sport, planned for June 14 and 15.
The cyclists passed by the Basilica and the Sacristy of St. Peter, and then going to the Vatican Gardens, crossing the area of the Church of Saint Stefano of the Abissinithe train station and the area of the Palace of the Interior.
Then they passed through the Mater Ecclesiae monastery – where Pope Benedict XVI lived from his resignation to his death – and also through the grotto of the Virgin of Lourdes, the Tower of San Juan and the helipad. Then they pedal next to the walls of the Vatican by the call “Marian route“, where there are a lot of images of the Virgin Mary from different parts of the world.
The choice of the tour is not accidental, since it was Francisco himself who requested that in the year of the Jubilee the Giro also to cross Vatican City.
In this way, the Italian turn has put the final gold brooch to the mythical competition of the ‘Maglia Rosa’, which this year celebrates its edition 108.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.