Vatican calls for global ceasefire during World Cup final today
THE Vatican has called for a truce in wars around the globe during today’s World Cup final in Brazil, taking to social media with the hashtag #pauseforpeace as conflict in the Gaza Strip escalates and killings continue in Ukraine.
“Adherents are asking for a moment of silence around the Sunday July 13 match to remember those stricken by wars and unrest worldwide,” said the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture.
The statement said some people were asking for a moment of silence at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro itself, although there has been no official announcement on this from soccer authority Fifa.
“A still, small voice of silence,” said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican’s culture minister, in a statement.
Melchor Sanchez de Toca y Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said: “Sports were born around religious festivities. Sporting events were moments of peace when wars ceased, as for the Olympic truce.”
The tradition of calling for an Olympic truce lasting so that athletes and spectators could travel to the Games dates back to the 9th century BC, and the International Olympic Committee has continued the custom and promotes peace initiatives around the world.
“Why not for the World Cup, why not a pause, a moment of silence, a truce for peace?” he said.
The face-off in Rio will be between soccer-mad Pope Francis’s native Argentina and Germany — the homeland of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
The Vatican has played down the prospect of the two popes settling down to watch the match — Benedict XVI is known more for his love of theology and music — but has said Francis might follow it.
A Vatican source said he “excluded categorically” the prospect of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI watching the final.
“It’s really not his thing. He is not a fan.
“It would be like inflicting an infinite penitence on him at the age of 87,” the source said, adding: “He has never been able to watch a football match from beginning to end in his life.” —