The following are the Holy Father Leo XIV’s words of greeting to the cyclists taking part in the Giro d’Italia as they passed through Vatican City State:

Greeting of the Holy Father

[In Italian]

Good morning everyone! Welcome to the Vatican!

It is a pleasure to be able to greet you in this last leg of the Giro d’Italia. I hope that it has truly been a beautiful day for you all. Know that you are models for young people all over the world. The Giro d’Italia really is well-loved, and not only in Italy. Cycling is very important, as is sport in general. I thank you for everything you do, and be true models! And I hope that, just as you have learned to care for the body, the spirit too is always blessed, and that you are always attentive to the human being as a whole: body, mind and spirit. God bless you!

[In English]

May God bless all of you on this last part of the Giro d’Italia. Congratulations to all of you, and may you know that you are always welcome here in the Vatican, you are always welcomed by the Church which represents God’s love for all people.

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, come upon all of you and remain with you forever.

Congratulations! Tanti auguri a tutti! [Best wishes to you all!].