Vatican official hopes Olympics in China will promote rights, peace

Published: 2007-11-02

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- A Vatican official said he hoped the 2008 Olympic Games in China would help promote international peace and respect for human rights. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, addressing the U.N. General Assembly Oct. 31, said the Vatican views the Olympics as an important moment of dialogue that can help countries bridge political and other differences. "Dialogue and encounter through sport hold great potential in the area of peacebuilding and conflict prevention," said Archbishop Migliore, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations. "While the rule of law and justice remain the foundation of durable peace, sport provides the tool for warring factions to come together for a common purpose," he said. The archbishop noted that Beijing will host the 2008 games, and that the world is already preparing for the event. He said one lesson of the Olympics is that the important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle.

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