Pope Francis met with members of Barcelona's Real Club of Tennis on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. There, he reflected on the young promises of the sport and he asked the players not to neglect their education.
POPE FRANCIS
When we work with these children, who dream of a future of excellence in sport, the demands of training cannot be above their integral growth; there is nothing more important than that human and spiritual development.
The Pope found it hard to speak but that did not stop him from joking about Italy's recent victory in the Australian Open.
POPE FRANCIS
And today we have to congratulate the Italians. Because yesterday they won in Australia, right?
Pope Francis emphasized that sport is a school of life because it encourages growth in the face of difficulty.
JRB
TR: AT
