The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-12-19
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Pope Plus XII
Friend of Sport

The death OF Pope PluS XII In OctoDeI SET III
motion countless clacking typewrlters and teletype
machines around the world as journalists sought to
recall for their readers the highlights of this Pontiff's
great and varied career.
Because the late Pope was so versatile and had
become such a domineering figure in world events,
writer's could only gloss over the many accomplish
ments of the 82-year-old Pontiff.
AS a result, many ~sidelights could not be men
toned. One such sideight was the fact that Pope Plus
was a friend of sport. Even though the holy sees
major concern is the spiritual welfare OF a halt
billion Catholics, the late Pope oftentlmes spoke on
athletics and received many sportswriters in his audi
ences.
He fully endorsed the rebirth of sports in post
war Italy and looked forward to the 1860 Olymplcs
scheduled to be held in Rome.
In 1851, he received In special audience the
Harlem Globetrotters who put ON an lmpromptu
exhibition much to the pleasure OF Pope Plus.
Pope Plus, . swimmer and horseman IN MS
youth, spoke out eIoquently on athletics three years
400 when no addressed $4,000 members OF the Italian
Sports Federation. The talk is must reading for afh-
In his address the late Pontiff urged athletes to
take proper care of their bodies and not to abuse
or neglect them. He noted there was more to sports
than Just recreation. He pointed out that spirit is
essential in athletic activities.
subject physically perfect nor the scrupulous opser-
vance Of all the technical norms are Suiflclent
to achieve victory worthy of admiration and OF arous-
ing enthusiasm. Technique alone not only lmpedes
the requirement of those spiritual boons which sport
has for its aim to achieve but even Leading TO victory,
it satisfies neither him who employs 1t nor those who
attend to enjoy the contests.
sThat is what the crowds in the stadia mean TO
say when. at times, they deplore the fact that the
teams in a contest do not play with their hearts; be.
cause, in general, whenever there Is a question OIL
human activity, the point of departure and of arrival
must always be the psychic element; spirit must
predominant over technique"
Make use Of technique. but lot the spirit pre-
vail"
In touching upon the educational value Of sports.
Pope Plus said:
"By positive action, education in sport will tend
TO develop the faculties of the intelligence and the
will. especially in competitive contests: the former
by training youth to reflect, TO Judge, 10 use Wisely e
adversaries and to be able to seize the opportune
moment for the use of his own reserve energy and
dexterity.
vigor in competitive sport can be said to- be the
determining factor of successful effort, while being
at the same time the most important advantage that
the young man may derive for his life as a man and
4 Christian.
g.. it is not the strength of ones muscles, nor
the quick reflexes nor the victories easily attained
that constitute the nobility and attractiveness OF
sport. It is rather the assured dominion over ones
spiritual faculties"
THE athlete may fail At the end 10 be
crowned Is the victor, but this does not mean that
he ceases to be the best, since, As 10 confirmed BY
ths experts, to win in sport is not 50 important IS
70 prove ones skill and fortitvde."
Among the things to be learned in sport, Pope
Plus cited; ~
wise commands of the director charged with the train
ing of the team, the spirit of sef-renunciation when
one has to fade into the background in order that
the interests of the team may thereby be furthered,
fidelity to obligations undertaken, modesty in victory,
sereneness in adverse fortune, patience towards
spectators who are not always moderate, justice if
the competitive sport is bound up with financial in
terests and in general, chastity and temperance
already by the ancients themselves.
"All these virtues, although having for their OBJ
ject a physical and external activity, are genuine
Christian virtues which cannot be acquired and ex-
ercised in an outstanding degree without a deep
and religious spirit, and, we would add, without fire.
quent recourse to prayer"
Finally, Pope Plus said:
"Sport provided it is understood in a Christian
sense, is an efficacious school for that great contest
which is our earthly life, whose goals are the perfec-
ton of the soul, the reward of eternal happiness,
the unfading glory of the Saints.
"In sporting competitions, one is free to particL
Continued on Page y
CYA And Senior CYC