Sport, solidarity and Faith

“Are you coming to Assisi to participate in the ‘San Francesco Marathon’?”... “No, I’m not the running type” ... “Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a runner. The marathon is open to everyone, — no one is excluded — it’s a pilgrimage keeping in mind solidarity and faith through sport”, Giampaolo Mattei, President of Athletica Vaticana, said to me and plus, “if Saint Francis calls, Athletica Vaticana responds”. Here begins my wonderful experience, my first just like the event itself, surrounded by the immense beauty of the city. The marathon, 10km for the more trained and 3km for everyone, including babies sitting in their pushchair (and Irene in mama Carla’s tummy), was promoted by the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, and animated by Athletica Vaticana. The event was the basis for a more significant goal: the 5 November 2023 ...