This month, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray that sports maybe "an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations" and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.

In his accompanying reflection, Fr. Rob Hagan, O.S.A., reminds us that these values are not simply athletic ideals—they are deeply connected to Catholic social teaching. Through sport, we encounter lessons about human dignity, community, the common good, and our responsibility to one another. Teams teach us that we flourish not in isolation, but in relationship.

As I reflected on both the Holy Father's prayer intention and Fr. Rob's thoughtful observations, I was reminded of experiences throughout my own career. Before coming to The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, I had the privilege of serving in leadership roles with the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In both organizations, I saw firsthand how sports and mentoring can help shape lives and strengthen communities.

Research consistently demonstrates that young people thrive when they experience positive peer relationships, caring adult support, meaningful community involvement, and a sense of belonging. These connections serve as powerful protective factors, helping young people develop resilience, make positive choices, and navigate life's challenges. Sports provide a natural environment where many of these relationships and experiences take root.

But what always struck me most was something that cannot easily be measured.

I watched young people from different neighborhoods, backgrounds, and life experiences come together around a shared purpose. I saw coaches become mentors, teammates become friends, and competition become an opportunity to learn respect and mutual understanding. Time and again, sports created spaces where differences became secondary to our common humanity.

That experience aligns closely with what Pope Leo and Fr. Rob describe. At its best, sport becomes more than recreation. It becomes a vehicle for encounter. It helps form habits of cooperation, sacrifice, discipline, and solidarity. It reminds us that each person possesses inherent dignity and that we are called to contribute our gifts in service to something greater than ourselves.

For a Catholic community foundation, those values matter.

Our mission is rooted in faith and in a belief that stronger communities are built when people come together around shared values and common purpose. That is why becoming a partner in the World Peace Project was an easy decision.

Inspired by Pope Leo XIV's call during the Jubilee of Sport to be "missionaries of hope," the World Peace Project seeks to harness the universal language of sport to promote peace, dialogue, and solidarity. Through gatherings of faith leaders, athletes, educators, coaches, and students, the initiative creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about how sport can help build stronger communities and a more peaceful world.

The timing is particularly meaningful for Philadelphia. As our city prepares to welcome the world through the excitement of international soccer and the World Cup, we have a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the power of sport to unite people across cultures, nations, and backgrounds. The same spirit that will bring fans together from around the globe is the spirit the World Peace Project seeks to cultivate long after the final whistle.

This fall, hundreds of local high school students will gather for a day of dialogue exploring how sport can foster unity, understanding, and peace. In many ways, it is a continuation of the vision outlined by Pope Leo and reflected upon by Fr. Rob: using sport not merely as entertainment, but as a force for human flourishing and the common good.

As a Foundation, we are honored to be part of that effort.

Join Us

As anticipation for the World Cup continues to build, we invite you to join the World Peace Project at the USA vs Paraguay Watch Party at Stateside Live on June 12. Guests will include former U.S. National Team, World Cup, and MLS players alongside local Philly sports legends.

Proceeds will support the World Peace Project Fund of The Catholic Foundation, which will fund student programming this fall, while a silent auction will benefit Families Behind the Badge, which supports the families of fallen police officers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win two tickets to the Brazil vs. Haiti World Cup match and an exclusive hospitality experience.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate the unique ability of sport to bring people together—and the opportunity we all share to play for something greater than ourselves.

Ted Qualli, President and CEO

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Watch the video below to learn more from Diane McGraw, McGraw Productions, who is the driving force behind the World Peace Project.

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