Zadar, (IKA) – On July 12, the President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Želimir Puljić of Zadar, congratulated the Croatian National Soccer Team and its coach, Zlatko Dalić, after they reached the finals of the FIFA World Cup in Russia. “I do not have to tell you how much good you have done and joy you have spread with your team and professional staff during the World Cup this year in Russia. You have delighted everyone in the homeland and throughout the world with your results and playing on the field, most of all, with your teamwork that ‘even radiated via television screens’ and yielded fruit and remarkable success. It is not surprising that you were supported not only by our faithful fans but also by the publics from ‘opposing teams,'” said the archbishop.
“I send you my heartfelt congratulations and want you to play in the finals that will crown your efforts, practices and teamwork with the same fervor, competence and enthusiasm, but also with modesty and humility (as encouraged by your coach),” emphasized Msgr. Puljić. The archbishop noted that last month Pope Francis issued a message in which he wrote: “‘… sport helps us to give our best, to discover our limits without fear, and to struggle daily to improve.'” Since “‘sports is a privileged area around which people meet without any distinction of race, sex, religion, or ideology,'” there is “‘the joy of competing to reach a goal together.'” And all this works, says Pope Francis, as “‘a catalyst for experiences of community.'”
“As I heartily congratulate you on your effort, sacrifice, labor and success, on your path to the finals and throughout the rest of your lives, may this ‘catalyst for experiences of community,’ with which you have won the sympathies of the world, continue to be with you. I send you sincere greetings with humble prayer and the Lord’s blessing. I promise to be with you in spirit on Sunday,” wrote the President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops to the soccer players and coach.