Editorial

During World Cup, may the Spirit help us build communion and fraternity

Is Pope Leo XIV breathing a sigh of relief?

He could be.

Because in the world of athletics, mixed allegiances can do that to a person—even the universal shepherd of the Catholic Church.

In his first interview after being elected in May of 2025, the American-born pope—who served as missionary in Peru for many years and is also a citizen there—said he would root for Peru if they were to face the United States in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The South American country did not qualify, sparing our Holy Father of any potential conflict of allegiances. For those concerned about the proximity of Vatican City to Rome and Pope Leo’s potential allegiance to Italy, American soccer fans can breathe a sigh of relief there too: the Italian team also failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Like millions of people around the world, including our Holy Father, we believe our readers will be among the masses that watch the matches across the U.S., Mexico and Canada—the three countries hosting this year’s tournament.

The global event held every four years brings people together from 48 countries (an increase from the 32 teams that qualified in years past) from all walks of life and various faith traditions, with at least one very strong connection—a passion for “fútbol” as our neighbors in Hispanic countries say, or soccer, as we Americans call it.

The matches “on the pitch” (soccer field) began on June 11 and continue through July 19, when the finals take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. All told, 104 matches will occur during the five-week period.

It will be a true festival of nations and a gathering like no other, where faces will be painted, flags will fly and fans chanting and singing in unison will be commonplace at these soccer venues.

Leaders of the Church have often spoken of sports and all the lessons that competition can bring. And like his predecessors during past World Cups, Pope Leo dedicated his June prayer intention to the power of sport to build bridges between cultures and nations, and released a video prayer calling on athletes, coaches and fans alike to embrace the field as a space of encounter rather than division.

The Vatican released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video on June 2 in which the pope prayed that “sport may always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence.”

As was featured in the May 29 issue of The Criterion, the pope’s official prayer intention for the month reads, “For the values of sport: Let us pray that sport may be an instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue between cultures and peoples, and may promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.”

Solidarity. In defining it, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on their website write: “We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that ‘if you want peace, work for justice.’ The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.”

Sportsmanship and teamwork were highlighted in the Holy Father’s video message.

“Lord of life, we thank you for the gift of sport, for those who glorify God through the exercise of their bodies, for the friendships born on the field and the joy of playing as a team,” Pope Leo said.

In the prayer video, Pope Leo also drew a connection between athletic life and the Christian journey.

“Lord Jesus, may every sport become a parable of life lived with you, working with joy and effort, living with humility in defeat and with gratitude in the victory you offer in your resurrection,” he prayed.

“May your Spirit never be lacking in us, making us one team, united with you to build communion and fraternity in history.”

From different backgrounds and countries, we are all part of the same team—the family of God. May all humanity work to create that beautiful goal during the World Cup and beyond.

—Mike Krokos