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This event highlights the remarkable ability of sport to strengthen social cohesion and inspire hope for a more inclusive future. The programme is divided into two sessions.

The morning session will spotlight football as a universal language of passion and unity.
The afternoon session will broaden the lens to explore inclusive and community-driven sports such as basketball, rugby, and the Paralympic Games.

Through powerful athlete testimonials and dynamic visual storytelling, the event will showcase how sport can transcend cultural and social boundaries—fostering positive change and deeper human connections. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of football and other popular sports in community-building and promoting mutual understanding across the globe.

A special exhibition of jerseys worn by iconic Italian and international players will also be on display throughout the event.

【Reflection】
The event, born out of a collaboration between the Italian General Commissariat and the Holy See, aimed to share stories of sport as a vehicle to promote a sense of brotherhood, hope, respect, and other positive values.

The continuation of the eventhosted rugby player and OMRI knight Andrea Lo Cicero, Olympic judo champion Pino Maddaloni, Olympic windsurf champion Alessandra Sensini, and CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) President Cecilia D’Angelo. Italy is not considered to be a very sporty country, even though its professional sports achievements are remarkable. This is thanks to the CONI system, which manages to educate the youths on sports all around Italy, compensating for the lack of sports education in schools and teaching them those values of discipline and self-control which are so intensely tied to sports. The panelists share their stories, discussing what they have learned and how they have grown thanks to their sports, agreeing that sports can help develop valuable life skills, such as teamwork, respect, and perseverance. Maddaloni, for example, talks about how sports helphelps young people to develop ambition and “hunger”: driving forces to give direction to their lives.


【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The values and challenges presented in this programme offer valuable guidance for the future enhancement of sports education and cultural exchange, both domestically and internationally. Building on the Italian example, priority will be given to expanding and enriching sports within school curricula and ensuring all athletes, regardless of gender, receive appropriate recognition and support. Efforts will focus on strengthening community-rooted development programmes and promoting educational initiatives that encourage young people to enjoy physical activity and develop fundamental motor skills, thereby broadening the foundation for health and human development.

In particular, initiatives to elevate the visibility and societal appreciation of women’s sports will be advanced through closer cooperation with media outlets and targeted awareness campaigns. Concurrently, the development of educational programmes that emphasise mental wellbeing and teamwork will continue, fostering holistic growth and social skills through sport.

Career support for athletes transitioning from competition to retirement is recognised as a critical priority. In response, a comprehensive support system will be established through collaboration among schools, families, sports organisations, businesses, and local governments to facilitate social reintegration and new career opportunities. This approach aims to ensure that the skills and values cultivated through sport are effectively transferred back to society.

On the international stage, this programme serves as a catalyst to deepen cultural exchange and knowledge sharing between Italy, Japan, and other participating countries. By fostering shared values and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds, we aim to collaboratively promote the educational and social roles of sport worldwide. Increased opportunities for joint events, expert exchanges, and collaborative workshops will be developed to encourage mutual learning and innovation.

Moreover, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), efforts will be made to harness sport’s potential to enhance health and inclusivity globally. Active participation in international frameworks will support the creation of sustainable sports cultures that provide future generations with environments conducive to growth and wellbeing.

Through these multifaceted collaborations, we are committed to enriching and expanding the universal values of sport, thereby offering hope and development opportunities to generations to come.

Holy See Pavilion