The ambassadors of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to the Holy See this week presented Pope Leo XIV with an official FIFA World Cup soccer ball, which the U.S. Embassy described as “a symbol of unity, sport, and shared celebration.”
In a June 18 X post, the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See shared a photo of the moment U.S. ambassador Brian Burch, Mexico ambassador Alberto Medardo Barranco Chavarría, and Canada ambassador Joyce Napier presented the gift to the Holy Father.
“U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See presented Pope Leo XIV with an official @fifaworldcup ball — a symbol of unity, sport, and shared celebration — alongside the Ambassadors of Canada and Mexico,” the Embassy stated.
🌍⚽🇺🇸 A historic moment at 🇻🇦Holy See! 🧵 1/4 pic.twitter.com/pegfFe1TM4
— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) June 18, 2026
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See presented Pope Leo XIV with an official @fifaworldcup ball — a symbol of unity, sport, and shared celebration — alongside the Ambassadors of 🇨🇦 Canada and 🇲🇽 Mexico. 🧵 2/4
— U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) June 18, 2026
“Together, our three nations are proud to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first time in the tournament’s nearly 100-year history that it will be jointly hosted by three countries,” the Embassy added in the X thread. “GO USA!”
The ambassadors presented the soccer ball to the Pope during his June 17 General Audience.
The Holy Father has previously extolled the benefits of playing sports, and this year, his June prayer intention is “for the values of sports.”
Ahead of the World Cup beginning, the Pope spoke about valuable lessons from playing the game.
“Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together,” he said. “Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet understood the game. Anyone who does not know how to live with and for others has not yet understood life.”
The World Cup begins tomorrow, and many will watch the matches. Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together. Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) June 10, 2026