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On November 7th and 8th a seminar was held in Rome.  The theme was 'Sport, Education and Faith: a new season for Catholic Sport Associations.'  Pope Benedict XVI had this message for the attendees, "Through sporting activities the ecclesial community contributes to the formation of young people, providing an environment appropriate for their human and spiritual growth.  Indeed, sporting initiatives - when aimed at the integral development of the individual and administered by qualified and competent personnel - represent a fruitful opportunity for priests, religious and lay people to become real educators and life-teachers for the young."

"Thus it is necessary", the Holy Father added, "that in our own time - when there is a pressing need to educate the new generations - the Church should continue to support sport for the young, making full use of sporting activity in its positive aspects such as, for example, the capacity to simulate competitiveness, courage and tenacity in pursuing goals."

In conclusion, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted how, "through co-ordinated educational activities, managers, trainers and Catholic workers must present themselves as experienced guides for adolescents, helping them to develop their sporting potential without overlooking those human qualities and Christian virtues that bring the individual to full maturity."