Pope Francis has recorded his first Super Bowl video message that will be shown during Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. In the video posted early Sunday by the director of the Vatican Press Office, the Pope said sporting events like the Super Bowl are “highly symbolic” and demonstrate that it is possible to “build a culture of encounter and a world of peace.”
“May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity to the world,” Pope Francis said in the 45-second clip.
A Vatican spokesman said the pope’s Spanish-language message, which was translated in English, is expected to be played on the large screens at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, before the game or during the first quarter.
“By participating in sport, we are able to go beyond our own self-interest and in a healthy way we learn to sacrifice, to grow in fidelity and respect the rules,” the pope said.
Francis, a devoted sports fan, always have been vocal of how sports can bring about social change. He has previously taken to Twitter for the Olympics and soccer’s World Cup to wish the athletes luck as well as to highlight the importance of unity.
“Good luck to the athletes at #Rio2016! May you always be messengers of goodwill and true sporting spirit,” the pope tweeted in August.
“The World Cup allowed people from different countries and religions to come together. May sport always promote the culture of encounter,” he tweeted in July 2014.
Sunday marks the Flacons second Super Bowl appearance in team history, after they lost to the Broncos, 34-19 during Super Bowl XXXIII. It is the Patriots’ ninth Super Bowl, an NFL record.
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