Marathon runners pause in silence for Pope Francis’ health at Rome start line

Record ID: 1983836

  • Title: Marathon runners pause in silence for Pope Francis’ health at Rome start line
  • Date: 16th March 2025
  • Summary: ROME, ITALY (MARCH 16, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ATHLETES OBSERVING 42 SECONDS OF SILENCE AT THE BEGINNING OF ROME MARATHON CALLED "RUN ROME THE MARATHON" BALLOONS VARIOUS OF ATHLETES OBSERVING SILENCE FOR THE POPE ATHLETES APPLAUDING LOGO OF THE ROME MARATHON (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL SPOKESPERSON OF "RUN ROME THE MARATHON", HERBERT THOMAS, SAYING: "Yeah, sure
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: FRANCIS HEALTH MARATHON POPE ROME
  • Location: ROME, ITALY
  • City: ROME, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Europe,Marathon,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001916116032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Rome Marathon opened Sunday (March 16) with an unprecedented moment of silence, as 30,000 runners from 126 countries stood still for 42 seconds at the starting line along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
    The symbolic gesture—one second for each kilometer of the race—was a show of solidarity with Pope Francis, who has been recovering in hospital for a month.
    Music and celebrations were paused just before the start, creating a rare and powerful moment of collective reflection at a major international sporting event. Organizers said the silence was meant to send a heartfelt message to the Pontiff, an enthusiastic supporter of sport and the Rome Marathon.
    This year's edition is also part of the official calendar of Jubilee 2025 events, under the patronage of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
    (Production: Christine Uyanik, Roberto Mignucci)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register