Buy Tickets
The preparations for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2025 are in full swing, and the team recently experienced a truly special highlight: A delegation from the local Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Club, the cable car company, the tourism board, and the Austrian Ski Federation had the incredible honor of meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican!
Yes, you read that right – Pope Francis, the man with the white cap known for his warmth and openness, welcomed our ski legends Annemarie Moser, Alexandra Meissnitzer, World Championship Ambassador Matthias Mayer, and Michael Walchhofer, as well as numerous staff and volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for the upcoming World Championships in Saalbach. They were accompanied by none other than Archbishop Franz Lackner and ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober. Naturally, Sport Director and organizer of the Rome trip, Bartl Gensbichler, along with Saalbach’s Mayor Alois Hasenauer, also joined the group.
Sport and Faith – two worlds that unite
The meeting at the Vatican was not only symbolic but also incredibly inspiring for the entire World Championship team. In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of sport in fostering human connection: "Sport creates fraternity," he said, perfectly summing up what drives us as a team. Together, we are not only working to welcome the world's best skiers, but also to organize a championship that brings people from all over the world together.
Pope Francis perfectly captured the essence of it: Values like "perseverance, integrity, friendship, and solidarity" are essential – not only in faith but also in sports. These are the very values that define what our World Championships in Saalbach are all about.
Volunteers – the backbone of the World Ski Championships
Archbishop Lackner used the meeting to highlight another crucial pillar of the World Ski Championship preparations: the dedication of the many volunteers. "What would the Church and society be without spontaneous and voluntary community support?" he asked. And the same applies to our upcoming World Ski Championships. Without the countless helping hands working with passion and dedication, this event would not be possible.
A blessing and a smile from the Pope
And then the ultimate highlight: Pope Francis blessed our team and shared a heartfelt wish: "May the Lord always accompany you and may the guardian angels protect you from every danger." Showing his characteristic humor, the Pope added during the group photo, "Please smile!" If that isn’t motivation for the final months of preparation, we don’t know what is!
Countdown to the World Ski Championships 2025: Together, we can do it!
The meeting at the Vatican deeply moved us all. "This is a great privilege, and we truly appreciate it. We feel immense gratitude for having had the opportunity to experience this," said Ski Austria President Roswitha Stadlober. It showed us that our work goes far beyond skiing. We are bringing people together, building connections, and standing for values that are more important now than ever before.
Now, we move forward with renewed energy into the final phase of preparations – the World Ski Championships 2025 in Saalbach will be unforgettable, we promise you! With the Pope's blessing and the dedication of our entire team, we’re looking forward to February 2025. Let’s do this!
