Be a Good Catholic Sport

There is tremendous excitement and interest in Pope Leo XIV around the world. He is an intellectual, a missionary, an administrative leader, and an American of all things. There has been much discussion of his diverse family heritage, his outreach to Eastern Orthodox, statements on Ukraine, and the family. Many are eager to hear what direction he will take on the Traditional Latin Mass. The media has buzzed lately about Pope Leo XIV’s pronouncements on AI and the impact on youth; but his powerful June 15 homily on Sports went mostly unnoticed. The occasion was the conclusion of the Jubilee of Sport. You would be easily forgiven if you did not know there was an official “Jubilee of Sport” June 14 – 15, 2025. This was one of many near daily events as part of the Year of Jubilee. Other examples include Jubilees for priests, Deacons, teenagers, Artists, workers, People with Disabilities, Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel, and many more. The Jubilee of Sport is not new as it was also celebrated in the Jubilees of 2000 and 1984.

Relationship

The conclusion of the Jubilee of Sport coincided with the Solemnity of The Holy Trinity. Pope Leo XIV used to occasion to weave the example of The Holy Trinity into his homily on sport. He begins by acknowledging, “This combination of Trinity and Sport is somewhat unusual, yet the juxtaposition is not inappropriate. Every good and worthwhile human activity is in some way a reflection of God’s infinite beauty, and sport is certainly one of these.” The Pope explains, “for God is not immobile and closed in on himself, but activity, communion, a dynamic relationship between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which opens up to humanity and to the world… Sport can thus help us to encounter the Triune God, because it challenges us to relate to others and with others, not only outwardly but also, and above all, interiorly.”

For children today, who are so engrossed in digital screens, team sports give them the opportunity to “relate to others and with others.” Studies show that youth today are suffering from isolation and depression. Physical play is built into our nature. Just as puppies and lion cubs naturally play to learn skills they will need in the wild; young children joyfully play with each other, parents and the world around them to test their limitations and learn how to relate to others. Pope Leo XIV pointed out that Saint John Paul II, an avid sportsman, in his homily on the Jubilee of Sports in 1984 said, “Sport is joy of life, a game, a celebration. As such, it must be fostered… by recovering its sheer gratuity, its ability to forge bonds of friendship, to encourage dialogue and openness towards others.”

It’s not just children but adults as well who suffer from growing isolation in this digital age. Many adults still enjoy participating in Sports from golf to tennis, bowling, pickle ball, basketball, soccer, and more. These activities bring people together and let them relate, compete and encourage each other in a safe way. Pope Leo XIV said in his homily, “in a society marked by solitude, where radical individualism has shifted the emphasis from “us” to “me”, resulting in a deficit of real concern for others, sport – especially team sports – teaches the value of cooperating, working together and sharing. These, as we said, are at the very heart of God’s own life. Sport can thus become an important means of reconciliation and encounter: between peoples and within communities, schools, workplaces and families.”

Sacrifice

Pope Leo XIV related, “Here in Italy, spectators at sporting events often cheer athletes on by shouting out, “Dai!” (Come one!). The Italian word, however, means, literally, “Give!” This can give us cause to reflect. Sports are not only about physical achievements, however extraordinary, but also about giving of ourselves, putting ourselves ‘in play’.” The idea of giving of oneself or sacrifice is essential to the Christian life. Sport places value on giving of oneself. Putting one’s body on the line for the success of
the team whether it’s an American Football block, a basketball screen, or making an assist; all team sports require individual sacrifice for team’s good. And individual sports require sacrifice for personal growth and improvement.

Just as we must sacrifice and work to succeed in athletics, we must work and sacrifice in our faith to become more holy and grow closer to God. Pope Leo highlighted this when he observed, “no one is born a champion, no one is born a saint.” Saint Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12 that we are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” He added in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.” Our hope is to say with confidence at the end, what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Christian Sportsmanship

As someone who has been very involved in youth sports on the parish level for many years; I have seen firsthand the good and bad side of sports in today’s world. I have seen the joy of a child learning skills, working hard, and improving. The value of teamwork is learned in sports as well as collective ownership and communication. Even individual sports such golf, tennis, and running teach valuable lessons about sportsmanship, dedication, and integrity. Children can learn to be gracious winners, to help a competitor up, to shake hands, and give compliments. I have also witnessed missed opportunities and failures by coaches, parents, and players. It’s a shame when failure in athletics leads to blame, anger, and desolation. It’s clear that children learn so much from losing. This harmless, voluntary suffering prepares children for the real suffering they will endure later in life. A Christian approach to losing can lead to a Christian approach to suffering.

American Priest Fr. Nathan Castle has pointed out that we should see each other in sports as competitors rather than rivals. The Latin root of the English word “Compete” comes from “Com” which means “together” and “petere” which means to “aim at” or to “seek.” Thus, the Latin word
“Competere” came to mean to “strive” or “contend for something.” In viewing one as a competitor in sports rather than a rival, our focus is on achieving a goal rather than opposing someone. Pope Leo added, “in our competitive society, where it seems that only the strong and winners deserve to live, sport also teaches us how to lose. It forces us, in learning the art of losing, to confront one of the deepest truths of our human condition: our fragility, our limitations and our imperfections.”

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Like many things, sport can have a positive or negative impact on human flourishing and growth in holiness. With the right mindset, sport can teach us valuable lessons which equip us for a more fulfilling relationship with God and others. Pope Leo stated, “Being a “good sport” is more important than winning or not.” He added that we should see sport as “a precious means for training in human and Christian virtues.” At the same time, we must be sure to keep sport in the proper perspective and not engage in the idolatry sometimes present today. Saint John Paul II said in 2000 that, “It is important to identify and promote the many positive aspects of sport, but it is only right also to recognize the various transgressions to which it can succumb.”

Pope Leo XIV, and avid tennis player, gave a powerful and yet under-appreciated homily on June 15. Whether one participates in sports or nor not, there is a lesson for how we live our lives. Just like in sports, we are not alone in our daily struggle in life or faith. Just as a player on the field is inspired and strengthened by the cheer of the crowd; we too have fans filling the bleachers cheering us on. Hebrews 12:1 says, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” We should remember we have a truly active and heavenly cheering section the next time we are struggling.