RECENT comments made to a group of athletes in Rome offer a striking example of why Bob Prevost (aka “Pope” Leo XIV) is not Catholic, not a member of the Catholic Church and most certainly not a pope. Though his remarks would not offend most listeners today, who in fact would likely find his message appealing, they are devoid of any real supernatural content. Bob delivers a humanistic, pagan message — with no acknowledgement of the dangers of excess or making sports the goal of life — the sort of thing the president of a secular college might say in a speech before a sports championship.
His speech embodies the spirit of pagan Rome today — focused on the pleasures of warm relationships, lumping all religions into one sugary cake, and glorifying the human god. It is the sterile, religious counterpart to the dehumanizing New World Order.
Compare his remarks with those of Pope Pius XII on the exact same subject. (Warning: The site Novus Ordo Watch should be read with great caution. It promotes illicit “mass centers’, tempting readers to jump from the frying pan, so to speak, into the fire.)
From Pope Pius XII’s commentary in 1945:
Sport is the school of loyalty, of courage, of fortitude, of resolution and universal brotherhood: all natural virtues, these, but which form for the supernatural virtues a sound foundation, and prepare man to carry without weakness the weight of the greatest responsibilities.
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Thus conceived, sport is not an end in itself, but a means. As such, it is and must remain subordinated to its end, which consists in the perfect and balanced formation and education of the whole man, for whom sport is an aid in the ready and joyful accomplishment of his duties: be they in his sphere of work, be they in the family.
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Sport, which is at the service of a healthy, strong, full life, of a more fruitful activity in the fulfillment of the duties of state, can and should be also at the service of God. In fact it encourages one in this direction by the physical strength and the moral virtues which it develops; but while the pagan subjected himself to the strict regime of sport to obtain a merely corruptible crown, the Christian subjects himself to the same with a nobler aim, for an immortal reward.
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What would be the use of physical courage and boldness of character if the Christian employed them only for earthly ends, to win some cup, or to give himself the airs of a superman? if he were unable, when necessary, to rob a half-hour of sleep or put off an appointment at the sports ground in order to attend Sunday Mass? if he could not conquer human respect in order to practice and defend his religion? if he did not use his superiority or authority to prevent or halt with a look, a word, or a gesture, some blasphemy, evil speech, dishonesty, or to protect the younger and weaker members from provocation and suspect companionship? if he could not make a habit of concluding his sporting successes with a praise of God, Creator and Lord of nature, and of all his own faculties? Be conscious of the fact that the greatest honor and the most holy destiny of the body is its being the dwelling of a soul which radiates moral purity and is sanctified by divine grace.
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The experience of the past decades has been most instructive in this sense: it has proved that only the Christian attitude toward sport can effectively combat false concepts and pernicious tendencies, and prevent their evil influence. In compensation, it enriches physical culture with all which tends to raise the spiritual value of man. What is more, it directs sport towards a noble exaltation of the dignity, vigor, and efficiency of a life fully and strongly Christian. When he remains faithful to the tenets of his faith, the apostolate of the sportsman consists in this.
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These words [in 1 Cor 9:24–27] illumine the concept of sport with a mystical radiance. But what matters to the Apostle is the superior reality of which sport is the image and symbol: unceasing work for Christ, the restraining and subjection of the body to the immortal soul, eternal life — the prize of this struggle. For the Christian athlete, and for you too, beloved sons, sport must not be the supreme ideal, the ultimate goal, but must serve and tend towards that goal. If a sporting activity is for you a recreation and a stimulus which aids you in better fulfilling your duties of work and study, then it can be said that it is being used in its true sense, and is attaining its true end.
If, as well, sport is for you not only an image, but also in some way the execution of your noblest duty, if, that is to say, in your sporting activity you render your body more docile and obedient to the soul and to your moral obligations, if, furthermore, by your example you contribute to modern sporting activity a form which better corresponds to the dignity of man and the commandments of God, then you are in one and the same activity putting into effect the symbol and the thing symbolized, as St. Paul explained it. And then one day you will be able to say with the great Apostle: “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have redeemed my pledge; I look forward to the prize that is waiting for me, the prize I have earned. The Lord, the Judge Whose award never goes amiss, will grant it to me when that day comes; to me, yes, and to all those who learned to welcome His coming” [2 Tim 4:7–8].
(Pope Pius XII, Address Voi Ci Portate to Italian Athletes, May 20, 1945; translation taken from Papal Teachings: The Human Body.)
