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Sette Colli Swimmers Meet Pope Francis At The Vatican

54TH SETTE COLLI/INTERNATIONAL SWIM MEETING

  • Friday, June 23rd – Sunday, June 25th
  • Stadio del Nuoto, Rome
  • Prelims at 9am local/Finals at 6:30pm local (MEZS, UTC +2)
  • LCM
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  • Results

While in Rome competing at the 54th Sette Colli International Swim Meeting, several elite swimmers were able to travel to the Vatican and meet Pope Francis. after today’s heats.

Gathered together at the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis spoke to the athletes, organizers and sponsors of the event, saying, “Your competitiveness, your racing, your living in contact with water, can also be a contribution to a different ‘culture of water’: water is life – without water there is no life – and to talk about life is to talk about God, the origin and source of life. Even our Christian life begins with the sign of water, with Baptism.”

National record holder and Olympians Federica Pellegrini and Gregorio Paltrinieri brought a special racing kit as a gift to the Pope, complete with Vatican colors of white and yellow, as well as a cap donned with the name ‘Papa Francesco.’

Below are photos from various swimmers’ social media accounts:

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Spaceman
7 years ago

This seems unfair to other swimmers, surely shaking hands with the Pope gives them some sort of holy performance benefits?

vermiss
7 years ago

o boy holy water to swim in.

G.I.N.A
7 years ago

Disappointed .I was hoping to see Frederica donned in a fetching black outfit & mantilla . This is a large boy in a polo top & trainers .

I am sure Rica could compete with Ivanka Melania & the sadly uncommented on Sophie Trudeau who were all rather outstanding . I am not a Catholic but I like the Vatican Occasion outfits . Right up to the best Steampunk .

Emanuele
7 years ago

Impressive Verrazsto in the 400 medley 4.07.47 with a monster combo back-breast.

korn
Reply to  Emanuele
7 years ago

Luckily i followed the results on their website cause SwimSwam is not covering it…..except the Pope

Riez
Reply to  Emanuele
7 years ago

That’s a fantastic PB, especially at the end of the season.

Dee
Reply to  Emanuele
7 years ago

Hungary could have a huge World Champs: Kenderesi for the 200fl in my opinion, too. Looks in supreme shape. Nice to see Kromo go a 53.0. She really is back to 2012 shape and remains my best bet after Sjostrom.

Would not have bet on Grainger being top Brit in 200 free, but he has all the tools and should be faster than the 1.47s he’s stuck in – 49s 100fr, 3.45s 400fr, great technique & skills. He really should be looking for 1.46low. After Guy & Scott, I dont know who swims 4×200.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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