#PopeFrancis Sends #SuperBowl Good Wishes and Plea for Friendship, Peace, Solidarity in #Sports

The Vatican reports, through News.Va, that #PopeFrancis, in a Spanish-speaking video message, has issued a good will message on the occasion of the 2017 #SuperBowl in Houston.:

In a specially recorded video message for the event which holds the attention of much of the nation and commands a television audience larger than for any other event of the year, the Pope pointed out that great sporting events like the championship game of the National Football League are highly symbolic, and show that it is possible to build a culture of encounter and a world of peace. ‘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. May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity to the world’ he said.

The Vatican version of the video is embedded below, which appeared to lack an English translation.