IN T ERRELIGIOUS M AT CH FOR PE ACE
Coming together for world peace
T
he first Interreligious Match for Peace was held last Monday evening at the request of Pope Francis. For the Pontiff, this sporting event was a symbolic gesture to show that peace is possible. Around 50 footballing stars captivated the sizeable crowd gathered at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico while the Handshake for Peace, a joint campaign between FIFA and the Nobel Peace Center in Norway, was also promoted during the event. At an audience with the Pope at the Vatican, a FIFA delegation attending on behalf of the FIFA President reaffirmed the governing body’s commitment to using football as a way to build bridges. Football brings people together across all religious, political and social divides. Å To see more pictures from the event, visit: www.tinyurl.com/k7ypcmj
Fotografia Felici, Getty Images, Reuters, imago, Match for Peace
The evening’s stars gather for a photo. Organiser Javier Zanetti (centre) presents the winners’ trophy, a silver olive tree.
FIFA pays the Pope a visit Walter De Gregorio (right; Director of Communications), Giovanni Marti (centre; Media) and Lars Sternmarker (Handshake for Peace).
Committed and fair: Former global star Roberto Baggio (left) goes up against current Uruguayan international Diego Lugano.
Handshake for Peace between team captains Roberto Baggio (left) and Javier Zanetti. Representatives from each religion symbolically plant the olive tree of peace. T H E F I FA W E E K LY
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