Pope Francis said Wednesday
that he hopes the soccer World Cup will be an occasion for
"encounter, dialogue and brotherhood between different cultures
and religions, and that it will favour solidarity and peace
among nations".
"I wish to send my cordial greetings to the athletes and
organizers, as well as to all those who will be following the
event through the media," the pope said in his weekly general
audience on the day before the opening game between hosts Russia
and Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday FIFA announced that a joint bid by the United
States, Mexico and Canada had won the right to host the 2026
World Cup.
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