Speaking in Portuguese at his weekly general audience this morning, Pope Francis offered special prayers and greetings to the people of Rio and to the athletes and fans who will gather in the Brazilian city for the games from August 5-21.

“In a world thirsting for peace, tolerance and reconciliation,” he said, “I wish that the spirit of the Olympic Games would inspire all — participants and spectators — to fight ‘the good fight’ and end the race together, desiring as a prize not a medal, but something much more precious: the creation of a civilisation where there reigns solidarity founded on the recognition that we are all members of one human family, no matter the differences of culture, skin color or religion.”

In view of the Olympics, the Pope’s prayer intention for August was: “That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world.”