IOC president Thomas Bach credits Pope Francis for sparking creation of Olympic refugee team at Rio 2016.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach (L) exchanges gifts with Pope Francis during the "Sports for All" International Summit at the Vatican on September 30, 2022. Photo by Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The world of sports and global humanitarianism has lost a deeply respected ally with the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Among the many tributes to the late pontiff was a heartfelt message from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, who credited Pope Francis with inspiring one of the most significant humanitarian initiatives in Olympic history — the Olympic refugee team.

In a statement that emphasized both personal admiration and institutional gratitude, Bach referred to Pope Francis as "a great friend and supporter" of the IOC and its broader missions of peace and solidarity. However, it was the pontiff’s commitment to refugee causes that, according to Bach, had the most profound influence on the Olympic movement.

"His powerful voice in support of refugees is a shining example of his commitment, and it inspired me to create the first-ever refugee Olympic team for the Olympic Games Rio 2016," Bach said in his official tribute. "He has graciously followed and supported this initiative throughout three Olympic Games editions, encouraging its growth and impact."

The initiative, launched just months before the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, brought together displaced athletes from war-torn regions under the Olympic flag. Their participation was not only symbolic of resilience and hope, but also aligned with Pope Francis’ lifelong advocacy for the marginalized and displaced.

The role of Pope Francis in the Olympic movement

The Olympic refugee team, which debuted in Rio and later competed at both Tokyo 2020 and the 2024 Paris Games, became one of the most compelling symbols of the Games. Bach revealed that Pope Francis' unwavering encouragement also played a role in the establishment of the Olympic Refuge Foundation in 2017 — a body committed to supporting displaced athletes and promoting access to sport for young refugees around the world.

“This ongoing encouragement also led to the creation of the Olympic Refuge Foundation in 2017,” Bach explained. The foundation, which works in over 10 countries, has since become a central pillar of the IOC’s humanitarian mission.

Bach, who has led the IOC since 2013 and will step down in June 2025, reflected on his interactions with Pope Francis throughout his 12-year presidency. The pontiff’s support for the IOC’s vision of unity through sport left an enduring mark on the Olympic leader, who will soon be succeeded by Zimbabwean Olympian Kirsty Coventry.

"I got to know His Holiness as a very pensive intellectual who was humble and had a very good sense of humour," said Bach. "His deep passion for sport and the Olympic values was always obvious."

Pope Francis and the global language of sport

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was an avid lover of football and often spoke about the unifying power of sport. As pontiff, he used his global platform to advocate for social inclusion, dialogue, and human dignity — values that closely mirror the Olympic spirit.

His audience with the Olympic refugee team before their participation in Tokyo 2020 made international headlines. During that meeting, he encouraged the athletes to represent not only themselves, but the hopes of millions of refugees worldwide. His words helped further elevate the team’s visibility and purpose beyond competition.

Pope Francis' legacy also includes initiatives that pushed the Vatican to engage more actively with sport as a tool for peace. His support for the “Sport at the Service of Humanity” movement, launched in 2016, brought together religious leaders, athletes, and global sports organizations to promote ethics and inclusion in sports.

Olympic legacy shaped by faith and compassion

Under Thomas Bach's leadership, the IOC has broadened its commitment to humanitarian values, with the Olympic refugee team standing as a central achievement. While the idea had been discussed within IOC circles, it was Pope Francis’ consistent advocacy for refugees that catalyzed its actual implementation.

The team, which began with 10 athletes in Rio, expanded to include over 30 by the Paris Games, competing in disciplines such as athletics, swimming, judo, and wrestling. Their journey, often shaped by loss and displacement, became a narrative of hope, and Pope Francis was among the most influential moral voices behind it.

"His support for the peace and solidarity mission of the Olympic Games and the refugee initiatives of the IOC has been unwavering," Bach stated.

Looking ahead without the pontiff’s voice

As the IOC transitions to new leadership, the relationship between global sport and humanitarian values — long championed by Pope Francis — will remain a cornerstone. The Olympic refugee team is expected to continue its evolution under incoming president Kirsty Coventry, and the Olympic Refuge Foundation plans to expand its reach into more regions facing conflict and displacement.

Pope Francis’ death leaves a spiritual and moral vacuum not just in the Catholic Church, but also in global efforts where compassion meets policy. His influence reached far beyond religious institutions, shaping international diplomacy, humanitarian outreach, and even the Olympic movement.

For Thomas Bach and the IOC, the memory of Pope Francis’ guidance will continue to inspire. As Bach concluded in his tribute, the pontiff was more than a supporter of sport; he was a beacon of compassion whose ideals will live on through initiatives like the Olympic refugee team.