Francisco and boxing ring; Intimate

Pope Francis knew that boxing was not just an exchange of strikes. He saw in this sport a ritual of respect, a form of dialogue between opposites, for example what the world could be if there is hug after every fight.

In 2016, during his visit to Mexico, this intuition became important. It was not an idea that was thrown into the air like the hook or the right. It was a direct invitation to Héctor Sulaimán: Open Scholas Mexico, the headquarters of its non -professional educational institution, with the aim of training young people through art, technology and sports.

“The World Boxing Council, head of the World Boxing Council, said in an interview with joinery. “We asked us to educate the boxing program. To teach through sports. Everything started.”

Thus, BoxVAL (boxing with values) was born, an alliance between the Vatican, Shulas and WBB that made boxing an educational tool, insertion and reconciliation. The first great idea was more than symbolic: a battle between Catholic and Muslim. Siel Canilo Alvarez against Amir Khan, in the largest of 2016.

“Boxing, for the Pope, was the most noble sport present. He liked two people fighting extensively in a ring in the end could hug. If everything in life looks like boxing, the world will be another.”

The battle of Caneo was held in Las Vegas, but the message was previously shared in London, New York and Los Angeles, at conferences that were shown olive tree in La Paz, a sculpture symbol for this crusade.

In weight in T-Mobile Square, a souvenir has been placed.

One of the belts that was delivered that night did not have gold or diamonds. He was manual by Adrian Palalles, Argentine gold friend of Pope, who collected silver and skin with peace symbols. It was the first among many. Because after that night, more than 20 fighting came for peace in several countries.

Suleiman said: “Hector, my brother, was responsible for fulfilling the wishes of the Holy Father from Mexico. He transformed Shalas to the dream operations center that sought to echo among those who wanted to join the help of young people.”

Since then, many coaches and promoters have joined. Clinics, conversations and community activation were organized as boxing stopped to be an offer to become a transformation tool. No reflection. With the purpose.

In Rome, the Pope received legends from WBC: Julio César Chávez, Caneo álvarez, Deontay Wilder, Sergio Maravilla Martínez. The Vatican was more than once full of heroes. Acknowledging equality.

“The Pope listened to them, embraced them, and treated them as people, not as celebrities. What an admiration was more of his outlook. His simplicity. He made you feel unique among the crowd.”

When his death was announced in the early hours of yesterday, CMB issued a week of mourning. Not only from institutional respect, but for gratitude. Because, during Pontificate, the boxing had a believer, an ally, the Pope who understood the episode.

“What he left most is his simple treatment, and his humanity. He always spoke to the heart. With him, boxing found a sound inside the Vatican. We, the reason behind the titles of the world.”

Life mission

Scholas is an accredited international legal organization and has been established by Pope Francis since August 13, 2013.

Linking technology with art and sport to encourage social integration and the culture of meeting for peace. It is located in 82 countries with a network of 400,000 schools.