Pope calls for Olympic truce in countries at war

Francis said he hopes the Paris Olympics starting on Friday will bring peace to countries at war (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis has voiced hope that the Paris Olympics and Paralympics will provide an opportunity for countries at war to respect an ancient Greek tradition and establish a truce for the duration of the Games.

During his Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, he said sport has a “great social power, capable of peacefully uniting people from different cultures”.