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This article reflects on the lasting impact of the late Pope Francis on Letsile Tebogo's life after a meeting they had in Rome in 2024.
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo is among the thousands of people deeply moved by the late Pope Francis, whose influence will continue even after his passing.
Pope Francis's passing was announced by the Holy Roman Church's Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, early on Easter Monday.
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His death undoubtedly shocked the world, coming as a surprise despite his ongoing illness. Just last month, the Pope was discharged from the hospital after a five-week treatment for an infection that resulted in double pneumonia.
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Letsile Tebogo’s interaction with Pope Francis
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In 2024, Letsile Tebogo did not have one of the best seasons as he lost his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, in May, just aged 44.
Letsile Tebogo somehow manoeuvred through the season, winning the 200m Olympic title and anchoring Team Botswana to a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay.
Letsile Tebogo rounded up his season with a second-place finish in the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels.
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He was on fire in the Diamond League Meetings after the Paris Olympic Games, and that was also the time he met the Pope, probably one of the highlights of his season.
Letsile Tebogo was due to compete in the men’s 100m at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome when he met Pope Francis.
The Pope congratulated him and was in awe of his performance at the Olympic Games. He even signed a pair of spikes, and he will have something to remember for years to come. Letsile Tebogo was over the moon, sharing a post on his Instagram handle.
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“Special day and special meeting. Today I had the honour to have been received by Pope Francis at the Vatican,” Letsile Tebogo said.
“I showed him the gold medal won in Paris, and he signed after blessing it with the spikes I wore in the 200m Olympic final. Thank you, Pope Francis, for your words, and thank you, Athletica Vaticana, for having organised it.”
In the wake of Pope Francis' passing, his influence continues to live on in the hearts of those he touched, including the heart of Letsile Tebogo.
The Olympic champion, who lost his mother at the start of the season, found a moment of solace and inspiration after meeting with the Pope.
As the world mourns the loss of a man who dedicated his life to others, Letsile Tebogo remains one of the testimonies of the profound impact Pope Francis had.
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