In the two days of the event, the athletes were in private audience with the Holy Father, and then an intense sports Sunday in an immense area equipped for the occasion between Via della Conciliazione and Piazza Pio XII, crowned at midday by the sound of the bell of the Ave Maria with the Angelus of the Pope.
The Italian armed forces have recently established a team of Paralympic athletes, disabled military personnel who still wear the uniform in the role of honor, and thanks to the opportunity granted by the institutions of belonging through a special protocol signed between Defense and CIP ( Italian Paralympic Committee), have the opportunity to train and honor the commitments made to participate in dedicated competitions. In fact, the Italian team took part in the "Invictus Games", Paralympic international games held in London from the 7 to the last 14 in September, winning five medals.
Believe to be alive - Believe to be alive: a simple and direct message that manages to combine the values of the Christian faith and those of sport. This is the message of faith of Pope Francis and the deeper meaning of Paralympic sport. Over the years, in fact, with the development, promotion and diffusion of the Paralympic sport, the eye towards the athletes has become more and more an expression of joy, of will, of desire to go on.
Message also received and disseminated by the Italian armed forces which, in addition to promoting sport for the disabled, allows soldiers who have disabilities to remain in service.
Source: Defense Staff - Public Information Office
