Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

VATICAN CITY — With world peace under serious threat, Pope Francis called on all nations to observe the Olympic truce and cease all conflicts for the traditional period before, during, and after the Olympic Games in Paris.

"May God help enlighten the consciences of those in power to the grave responsibilities incumbent upon them, may he grant peacemakers success in their endeavors," the pope said in a written message to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.

The Vatican published the letter on July 19, seven days before the opening of the Summer Games and the customary start of the observance of the Olympic truce. The archbishop celebrated Mass in Paris at the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine on July 19 to mark the official start of the Olympic truce.

The Olympic truce tradition, originating in Greece in the 8th century B.C., asked that all wars and conflict be suspended during the games and seven days before and after as a way to ensure participants could travel safely. The International Olympic Committee revived this tradition in 1992 and collaborates with the United Nations to pass a symbolic U.N. resolution before each Games inviting member states to observe a truce to encourage an Olympic spirit of peace.

In his letter, Pope Francis said that "the Olympic Games can be an exceptional meeting place between peoples, even the most hostile. The five interlinked rings represent the spirit of fraternity that should characterize the Olympic event and sporting competition in general."

"I therefore hope that the Paris Olympics will be an unmissable opportunity for all those who come from around the world to discover and appreciate each other, to break down prejudices, to foster esteem where there is contempt and mistrust, and friendship where there is hatred. The Olympic Games are, by their very nature, about peace, not war," he wrote.

"It was in this spirit that antiquity wisely instituted a truce during the Games, and that modern times regularly attempt to revive this happy tradition," he added.

"In these troubled times when world peace is under serious threat, it is my fervent wish that everyone will take this truce to heart, in hopes of resolving conflicts and restoring harmony," he wrote further.

Pope Francis also sent his support and blessings to all athletes, spectators, and people of Paris, including many Catholics who "are preparing to open wide their churches' doors."

"I hope that organizing these Games will provide France with a wonderful opportunity for fraternal harmony enabling us to transcend differences," he wrote.

The Olympic Games begin on July 26 and run until August 11; followed by Paralympic Games from August 28 through September 8. Approximately 10,500 athletes worldwide are set for competition at Olympics while around 4.400 will participate at Paralympics; Thirty-seven athletes from eleven countries form Refugee Team competing at Summer Games while eight from six countries join Refugee Paralympic Team.

Paris Summer marks first instance equal number men women competing events since modern Athens Olympics began1896 featuring exclusively male competitors.

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