A profound spiritual moment, an opportunity for reflection, but also for smiles and sharing. In the year of the 120th anniversary of the FIM, on Monday 25 November Pope Francis received the FIM and the FMI in a private audience in the Vatican City.
Inside the Hall of the Popes of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father welcomed the CONI President Giovanni Malagò, the FIM President Jorge Viegas, the FMI President Giovanni Copioli, the three-time FIM World Champion Francesco Bagnaia and other representatives of both Federations.
In his greeting, the Pontiff highlighted in particular the social role of the two Federations: "The diffusion of road education - also provided for by your Statutes through the organisation of courses to be held in schools - does you credit. In this way, you have the opportunity to make the kids reflect, who admire the champions of ‘motorcycles’ but are often unaware of the dangers" highlighted His Holiness, who then continued: "For this reason, the time dedicated to educational initiatives in this sense is an investment in favour of life. Thank you for what you do to help and educate in this line."
In conclusion, Pope Francis joked: "You too, please, pray for me, who need prayers. Why? Because my work is very accelerated, and my motorcycle is old and does not work well.”
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “In this very special year where the FIM commemorates its 120th anniversary, we have met the extraordinary Pope Francisco that received us in the Vatican, full of humanity and love. The FIM and the FMI have prayed together for all the motorcycle community and in particular for the FIM Family, irrespective of their faith or believes.”
Giovanni Copioli, FMI President: "The audience with the Holy Father was a historic and truly emotional moment. In his message, Pope Francis combined the two souls of motorcycling, the sporting one and the social one, underlining how important it is to address young people and future generations. His words give us a great push, a further impulse to continue on our path, with ideas, initiatives and projects that aim to spread the positive values of our world. I was particularly proud to share this meeting with two men of sport and friends like the Presidents of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, and of the FIM, Jorge Viegas.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “It was a great honour to be received by the Holy Father, a unique occasion that I will always carry within me. I was deeply struck by his charisma and his words, with which he highlighted his attention to young people and the very young. Together with the Italian Motorcycling Federation and the International Motorcycling Federation we shared a moment that marked me as a man and as an athlete.”