For the Game. For the World.

This week begins the World Cup, hosted here in North America. Like the Olympics, the World Cup is one of the few times I get deeply invested in sports. There is something about the international commonality of everyone watching and rooting for their country that I find hopeful and peaceful. It seems to dilute cultural and political differences, if only superficially and momentarily.

And that unity was the intention of the founder of the World Cup, Jules Rimet (for whom the championship trophy is now named after). Football (soccer) had been gaining massive popularity in the early 1900s, and it had been played as an Olympic sport for several years. However, FIFA wanted to hold a tournament separate from the Olympics that would allow professional players.

Rimet was FIFA president at the time and worked to bring the World Cup to fruition. He had a deep belief that sport could be used to bring peace. Rimet was born in eastern France in 1873, a place and time massively affected by industrialization and political upheaval.

When Rimet was 17, Pope Leo XIII released Rerum novarum, the encyclical on the dignity of work and worker’s rights. In the encyclical, Leo XIII discusses the importance of men having the time and freedom to gather in associations for the support one another and the good of society (RN 50). Rerum novarum also discusses the need for proper rest; men need rest from labor both for physical recuperation and spiritual nourishment (RN 42).

St. Richard of Chichester

Richard of Chichester, also known as Richard de Wych, was born in 1197 in Worcestershire. He came from a noble family, but because his eldest brother was too young to inherit the estate when they were orphaned, the siblings struggled for many years. Richard was orphaned at a young age. He studied at Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, becoming a canon lawyer. He became chancellor of Canterbury.

Richard was said to live an extremely frugal, ascetic life. He wore a hair shirt and regularly abstained from meat. He refused to eat off silver.

Around 1240, Richard became a priest. In 1244 he was elected bishop of Chichester, but King Henry III refused to accept him, preferring another man. Both sides appealed to the pope, and the king confiscated the diocese’s properties. Pope Innocent IV sided with Richard and consecrated him a bishop at Lyons in 1245. But Henry refused to restore the confiscated properties for years until he was threatened with excommunication.

As bishop, Richard strongly condemned usury and corruption. He supported clerical reforms; he wanted clergy to uphold manners and morals, and he wanted greater reverence of the Mass. He believed priests shouldn’t mumble the prayers, praying sincerely and clearly enough for the laity to understand.

Monday Motivation: Magnifica Humanitas Presentation Video

Today Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addressing technological changes and how humanity must always be prioritized.