Pope Leo XIV blesses 2,600 young athletes at Dakar Youth Olympics

Pope Leo XIV blessed more than 2,600 young athletes participating in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, following the Angelus prayer on November 1, 2026. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope described the event as a sign of hope.

The games, which began on October 31 and are scheduled to continue until November 13, represent the first Olympic event organized on the African continent. The Pope noted that the competition includes educational and cultural meetings intended to promote Olympic values and mutual understanding among young people from around the world. The athletes participating in the games are between 15 and 18 years of age.