Pope Benedict sends best wishes to Vancouver’s archbishop for peaceful Olympics

Pope sends his wishes for peaceful Olympics

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has sent his blessing and best wishes to Vancouver’s archbishop for a peaceful Olympics.

In the note sent to Archbishop J. Michael Miller, the pontiff said he hopes sport can be “a valued building block of peace and friendship between peoples and nations.”

The pope also made reference to the Paralympics in his message released Thursday.

The Vancouver Games open Feb. 12 and the Paralympics will be held in the Canadian city a month later.