On 6 February 2026, Pope Leo XIV published a letter dedicated to sport, in which the entire reflection is based on this principle: ‘Sport fosters a deeper understanding of life’, which draws on the biblical passage from John: ‘Life in abundance’ (cf. Jn 10:10).

In summary, the letter offers us four key interpretative perspectives: at the individual level, the formative value of sport; at the community level, the social responsibility of sport; at the sporting level itself, the inherent risks and benefits of sport; and at the pastoral level, the specific role of the Church in its relationship with the world of sport.

In order to promote the practical implementation of this letter, the Dicastery has drawn up a document in five languages to present a series of theoretical and practical proposals for applying the letter within the many contexts and missions in which the Church is active, both at parish and diocesan levels.

For the same reason, the Dicastery welcomes any further proposals from those involved in sports pastoral care who wish to share the fruits of their personal experience, with a view to enriching the Church’s mission in the field of in sports pastoral care. Such proposals may be sent to the following email address: info@dce.va