Pope Francis' Favorite Board Game? The Pope Meets with Players of Checkers (Draughts) at the Vatican - VIDEO
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ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ITALIAN DRAUGHTS (Checkers) FEDERATION
Pope Francis welcomed to the Vatican on Friday a delegation of the Italian Draughts (Checkers) Association as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of its foundation. It is generally believed that the game may have been invented as long ago as 1000 A.D., although some experts think it is of more recent origin, maybe early 13th century. (Source: U of Maryland)
Clementine Hall - Friday, 26 April 2024
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Dear friends, welcome!
I am pleased to meet you, one hundred years after the birth of your Federation. I greet the President and all of you.
The game of draughts (checkers) has two beautiful characteristics: it stimulates the mind and is accessible to all.
Indeed, it requires intelligence, skill and attention, but not great means or facilities. It is one of those games that, wherever you may be, you can easily create a moment of encounter and enjoyment: all you need is a chessboard and checkers, two players, and it is a nice way of being together. This makes draughts a game for everyone, practised in various parts of the world. For example, it is reported to be one of the most common pastimes among migrants who land on our shores: many of these brothers and sisters, in situations of great uncertainty and apprehension, find relief by playing draughts, sometimes even together with the people who welcome them, in simplicity and sharing. And it is also a game that makes us exercise our logical capacity, and there is a need for this, because the abuse of the new media dulls it instead! It is good to hear the children, it is something very good!
Dear friends, it is nice that you meet each other with joy, to get to know each other and challenge each other sportingly: in a world characterised by individualism, which at times risks becoming isolation, your game brings a breath of clean air, fresh air. So, I wish you all the best in your activities; and I also encourage you to keep alive the moments of spirituality that you usually associate with the most important events organized by the Federation.
Thank you for your visit, and I bless you. Please, do not forget to pray for me. And always bring the children, who are a promise! Thank you.
___________________________
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 26 April 2024
Clementine Hall - Friday, 26 April 2024
________________________________________
Dear friends, welcome!
I am pleased to meet you, one hundred years after the birth of your Federation. I greet the President and all of you.
The game of draughts (checkers) has two beautiful characteristics: it stimulates the mind and is accessible to all.
Indeed, it requires intelligence, skill and attention, but not great means or facilities. It is one of those games that, wherever you may be, you can easily create a moment of encounter and enjoyment: all you need is a chessboard and checkers, two players, and it is a nice way of being together. This makes draughts a game for everyone, practised in various parts of the world. For example, it is reported to be one of the most common pastimes among migrants who land on our shores: many of these brothers and sisters, in situations of great uncertainty and apprehension, find relief by playing draughts, sometimes even together with the people who welcome them, in simplicity and sharing. And it is also a game that makes us exercise our logical capacity, and there is a need for this, because the abuse of the new media dulls it instead! It is good to hear the children, it is something very good!
Dear friends, it is nice that you meet each other with joy, to get to know each other and challenge each other sportingly: in a world characterised by individualism, which at times risks becoming isolation, your game brings a breath of clean air, fresh air. So, I wish you all the best in your activities; and I also encourage you to keep alive the moments of spirituality that you usually associate with the most important events organized by the Federation.
Thank you for your visit, and I bless you. Please, do not forget to pray for me. And always bring the children, who are a promise! Thank you.
___________________________
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 26 April 2024
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