Pope calls for Olympic truce during Paris games

(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, JUL 19 - Pope Francis on Friday called for a truce during the Summer Olympics scheduled to take place in Paris from July 26 until August 11.
    "The Olympic Games, by nature, bring peace and not war", the pontiff said.
    "It is with this spirit that in ancient times a truce was wisely established during the Games and that modern age regularly attempts to resume this happy tradition.
    "In these troubled times in which peace in the world is seriously threatened, I strongly hope that everyone will wish to respect this truce in hopes of a resolution of conflicts and a return to harmony".
    According to the pontiff, the "Olympic Games, if they really remain 'games', can thus be an exceptional place where people can meet, even the most hostile ones.
    "The five intertwined rings represent this spirit of fraternity that must characterize the Olympic event and in general sports ", the pontiff concluded, expressing the wish that the Paris Games will be an "unmissable occasion to discover and appreciate ourselves, to tear down prejudice", creating esteem and friendship win lieu of mistrust and hatred. (ANSA).