The unparalleled Catholic cross is a beacon of unity in the Olympic Games host city of Milan
Milan — As with the Olympic flame, another – and far less well-known – symbol of triumph and supremacy adorns the host cities one by one: a unique wooden cross.
The athletes’ cross has arrived Milan For the Winter Games, it occupies a prominent place next to the main altar in the Church of San Babila. It is one of the oldest churches in the city and bears – for a few weeks, while the cross is within its walls – the title of Church of the Athletes.
The presence of the cross in games is a tangible sign of… Catholic Church Our belief is that sport is a powerful way to bring people together. This cross is unique because it is made of pieces of wood sourced from five continents, a clear reference to the five Olympic rings that convey the same sentiment.
“We do not think of sport as a tool that separates, but rather as a tool that unites,” said the Rev. Stefano Guidi, who heads the Diocese of Oratory and Sports Ministry in Milan. “The cross represents this precisely by the way it was created.”
English artist John Cornwall used 15 pieces of wood from continents around the world to create the cross, which made its debut at the 2012 London Olympics.
Since then, special celebrations have seen it arrive in host cities for both the Summer and Winter Games. (The exception was Tokyo, when travel restrictions were imposed due to the pandemic.) Last June, it was in the Vatican on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sports, celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, with whom he has a long-standing personal relationship. Contact with sports. Kroos is expected to travel to Los Angeles to attend the 2028 Olympic Games.
A document issued by the Vatican Ministry of Culture, which includes a sports department, said: “The cross that carries the prayers and hopes of athletes is a Christian message addressed to the entire world of sports, a sign of hope for humanity, and a proposal for peace between peoples.”
Sport brings people together and values the journey as well as the end result, Liu said in a message titled “Life Abundantly” released on the same day as Milan Cortina’s opening ceremony.
“It teaches us that we can strive to reach the highest level without denying our fragility; that we can win without humiliating others; and that we can lose without being defeated as individuals,” he wrote.
On a recent February morning, Giovanna Spotti and her husband attended Mass at San Babila and took a moment to admire the crucifix.
“The athletes’ cross touches us a lot, because it is displayed and venerated here,” said Spotti, who lives nearby. “San Babila is important because it is a very old church, which is really characteristic of Milan.”
The Romanesque church is located in the heart of the city near San Babila Square, a major transit and meeting point. The Catholic Diocese of Milan has designated it as a chapel for athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Among the church’s activities during this period was the holding of some masses in Italian, English, French, and German.
The church was crowded during the first Mass on February 8 in Italian. The sermon focused on the importance of giving priority to brotherhood over individualism and promoting the spirit of unity away from divisions.
Later, Father Stefano Chiarola celebrated Mass in German. All attendees were Italian, but Chiarola said the initiative was important nonetheless.
“Multilingual Masses are a sign of welcome,” said Chiarola, who asked German speakers to raise their hands at the end of his sermon and smiled when only one Italian man did so. “People can always attend Mass in Italian, but the diocese wants to provide a clear sign of hospitality that reflects the international nature of the event.”
Marino Parodi, who raised his hand, said he attended because family problems prevented him from attending the previous service.
“I searched on the Internet and found this option,” he said. “I was happy to find it.”
The cross display and multilingual Masses are part of the efforts of the Archdiocese of Milan to promote unity during the 2026 Winter Olympics. This broader program includes a youth-focused “Sports Values Tour”, cultural exhibitions, theatrical performances, concerts and inclusive sports initiatives, as well as artistic walks through some of Milan’s historic churches.
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AP Olympiad: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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