{"id":181193,"date":"2026-04-21T09:21:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/el-mundo-del-boxeo-honra-la-memoria-del-papa-francisco-a-un-ano-de-su-partida\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T09:24:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:24:34","slug":"the-boxing-world-honors-the-memory-of-pope-francis-on-the-first-anniversary-of-his-passing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/the-boxing-world-honors-the-memory-of-pope-francis-on-the-first-anniversary-of-his-passing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Boxing World Honors the Memory of Pope Francis on the First Anniversary of His Passing"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Boxing World Honors the Memory of Pope Francis on the First Anniversary of His Passing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaim\u00e1n, join today in a solemn and grateful tribute to mark the first anniversary of the passing of Pope Francis (1936\u20132025).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-181187\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"504\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms.jpg 504w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms-123x146.jpg 123w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms-42x50.jpg 42w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-ms-63x75.jpg 63w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American Pope in history, was more than just a spiritual guide to millions since his election in 2013; he became a fundamental pillar for the humanitarian growth of boxing.<\/p>\n<p>His blessings, rooted in deep faith, had effects that many within our sport consider miraculous\u2014transforming lives and offering hope in the darkest of times.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-181189\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"881\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-133x75.jpg 133w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/papa-f-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The relationship between the Holy Father and the Sulaim\u00e1n family was profound and close. This union was born from a shared vision of education and sports as tools for social change.<\/p>\n<p>Following Rom\u00e1n Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s proposal in 2016, H\u00e9ctor Sulaim\u00e1n led the launch of Scholas Mexico, working alongside global directors Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda del Corral and Enrique Palmeyro.<\/p>\n<p>From this collaboration, BoxVal (Boxing with Values) was born\u2014a program designed to educate through boxing, art, and technology. As the noblest of sports, with a unique capacity to instill discipline and respect, boxing was chosen by the Pope and the WBC as the ideal vehicle to promote global harmony.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-149360\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco-.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco-.webp 800w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco--300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco--768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco--195x146.webp 195w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco--50x38.webp 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/hector-mauricio-papa-francisco--100x75.webp 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-106137\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/papa-francisco.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"686\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-133x75.jpg 133w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25120\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/MAURICIO-PAPA.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"577\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURICIO-PAPA.jpg 577w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURICIO-PAPA-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURICIO-PAPA-174x146.jpg 174w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURICIO-PAPA-50x42.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURICIO-PAPA-89x75.jpg 89w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-149368\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"489\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa.jpg 874w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-283x300.jpg 283w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-768x815.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-138x146.jpg 138w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-47x50.jpg 47w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-71x75.jpg 71w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-678x720.jpg 678w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chavez-papa-636x675.jpg 636w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-148750\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco.jpg 1710w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-935x1024.jpg 935w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-768x841.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-1403x1536.jpg 1403w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-133x146.jpg 133w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-46x50.jpg 46w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-69x75.jpg 69w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-658x720.jpg 658w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sulaiman-papa-francisco-617x675.jpg 617w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-149297\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector.jpeg 1599w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-219x146.jpeg 219w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-50x33.jpeg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-113x75.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-960x640.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-francisco-mauricio-y-hector-1013x675.jpeg 1013w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The impact of this relationship took form in the historic &#8220;Fights for Peace.&#8221; The first of these, a matchup between Catholic fighter Sa\u00fal &#8220;Canelo&#8221; \u00c1lvarez and Muslim fighter Amir Khan, proved that sport can transcend religious barriers.<\/p>\n<p>During the promotional tour across England, New York, and Los Angeles, the Olive Tree of Peace was presented, and commemorative belts were crafted by Argentine artisan Adri\u00e1n Pallarols, a close collaborator of the Holy Father.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-93180\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/olivo-paz-canelo-ryder-133x75.jpg 133w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Pope Francis always kept his doors open for the WBC, welcoming legends such as Julio C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez, Deontay Wilder, Sergio &#8220;Maravilla&#8221; Mart\u00ednez, and Canelo \u00c1lvarez in private audiences, always urging them to be examples of integrity for the youth.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-141541\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa.jpg 750w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa-204x146.jpg 204w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa-50x36.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/francisco-papa-105x75.jpg 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Today, we recall his final words spoken on Easter Sunday in 2025:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet us renew our hope and our trust in others, even those who are different from us or come from distant lands&#8230; For we are all children of God.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>His passing in 2025, following a courageous battle with pneumonia, left an immense void. However, his spirit lives on in every memory and in every corner of the world where boxing serves to unite rather than divide.<\/p>\n<p>The World Boxing Council is eternally grateful for the blessings His Holiness bestowed upon our community.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-134148\" src=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/papa-bendicion-vanes.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"331\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-bendicion-vanes.jpg 331w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-bendicion-vanes-182x300.jpg 182w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-bendicion-vanes-89x146.jpg 89w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-bendicion-vanes-30x50.jpg 30w, https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/papa-bendicion-vanes-45x75.jpg 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Boxing World Honors the Memory of Pope Francis on the First Anniversary of His Passing The World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaim\u00e1n, join<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":181186,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122,121,120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-181193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-main-news","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=181193"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":181196,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181193\/revisions\/181196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=181193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=181193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}