Hundreds of athletes from all national Olympic committees, as well as the refugee team, gathered in the Olympic Village in Paris on Monday, carrying signs and banners reading “Give Peace a Chance.” International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach posed for photos with athletes from Israel, Palestine and Ukraine, according to an International Olympic Committee press release. The event also included the inauguration of the Paris 2024 Olympic Truce mural, signed by Olympic leaders and athletes.

What is the meaning of an Olympic Truce? The tradition of peace during the Olympic Games dates back to the ancient games in Greece, to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators. Every two years since 1993, the UN General Assembly has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire between all countries, ranging from seven days before to seven days after the Games. A total of 118 countries voted in November in favor of the resolution declaring the 2024 Olympic truce, and none voted against it, according to a press release from the International Olympic Committee. Russia and Syria abstained.

A similar call came from the Vatican on Sunday, when Pope Francis spoke during the Angelus prayer, a prayer that, in Catholic tradition, commemorates the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and marks what Catholics see as Mary’s role in salvation history. Noting that sports can unite people, he expressed the hope that the 2024 Olympics would serve as a connecting point for athletes from different cultures and facilitate a call for a global ceasefire in keeping with Olympic tradition. He urged listeners to pray for peace, remembering specifically those in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Myanmar.

Dig deeper: Read my WORLD Tour report on this year’s emphasis on the inclusion of Olympic athletes who identify as LGBTQ and how that will impact fairness in competition.