Southwest Airlines warns staff of 'tough decisions' ahead, Bloomberg reports
Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning Dissanayake in early lead to become president
California firefighter accused of sparking blazes in the state's wine country
US not responsible for violence in Mexico's Sinaloa state, ambassador says
Russian strike on apartment block in Kharkiv injures 12
GM to lay off about 1,700 workers at Kansas plant
Tens of thousands of bees found living in a Maine family’s farmhouse
Bernard runs for 182 yards and No. 12 Utah wins Big 12 debut, beating No. 14 Oklahoma State 22-19
Mullings' 2nd TD with 37 seconds left lifts No. 18 Michigan to 27-24 win over No. 11 USC
No. 3 Ohio State looks ahead to Big Ten schedule after rolling through nonconference games
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday he hoped the Paris Olympics would be an occasion for truces in the world's conflicts, urging athletes to be messengers of peace and models for young people.
The games start on July 26 with an opening ceremony on the River Seine that will feature about 10,500 athletes and over 100 heads of state and government.
During his weekly address to the crowds in St Peter's Square, the pope said he hoped that "according to the ancient tradition, the Olympics will be an opportunity to establish a truce in wars, by demonstrating a sincere desire for peace" .
He mentioned the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar and other countries, saying "let us not forget war is a defeat".
Last month the final statement of a Group of Seven (G7) leaders' meeting held in Italy included a unanimous call for a truce in global conflicts during the Olympic Games.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Frances Kerry)
