Pope Francis spoke of the importance of sp♛ort in shaping the lives of young people, during MotoGP's private visit to the Vatican on Wednesday.

Riders Marc Marquez, 🐠Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Iannone, Danilo🐻 Petrucci, Jack Miller, plus Paolo Simoncelli (father of Marco) and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta were among those that attended the meeting, ahead of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix.

“Sport, respecting the rules, is an important way to learn - especially for young generations," said Pope Francis. "Or rather, it’s irreplaceable. Sport promotes a healthy way to overcome the self and selfishness, train the꧒ spirit and promote loyalty in personal relationships, friendship, respect for the rules.

“Sport is expressed in universal language that transcends conಌfinement, language, race, religion and ideology. That’s seen most often i♚n amateur sport, when it comes from the heart.

"Therefore, it has the intrinsic capacity to unite people, fostering dialogue and welcoming. I encourage you to spread the values of sportไ: in that way you will contribute to creating a fairer and m𝔍ore supportive society.”

The Pope also urged the r𒈔iders to use their passion to be champions in life, ꧒as well as on the race track.

“Let passion take you over. This world needs passion and passions. Live with pas🎉sion and not as someone who carries life as though it’s a burden. Passion is walkinꦿg forward… [a] 'Champion in life'.

"Yes, you can become a champion i♈n sporting successes, in♔ a team, whatever it is, but a champion in life is someone who lives with passion, to the full, and is capable of living that way.”

“It was a great experience iᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚn a different kind of suit!" said ▨world champion Marc Marquez. "It was so nice, we spoke and we were able to meet him but also talk to him. It was a pleasure to be here.

"What he said was great, in terms of understanding and motivation🌞 – he said you need passion in life and a goal, and if you follow that passion you can achieve a lot.ꦛ”

Team-mate Dani Pedrosa said: “It was very special and a unique opportunity to meet the Pope and be able to share a few words – for me and for the other riders. We do an extreme sport and there’s a♓ lot of risk so it’s always important to feel good. This event is something special and I’m glad to be here.”

“It’s a really incredible day for us, it’s the first time for me coming h🐻ere to see the Pope and it’s an incredible pleasure," said Italian Andrea Iannone. "I’m a lucky man to have this experience…I hope from today maybe I’ll have more luck! But joking aside, I appreciate it a lot. Thank you to MotoGP for this opportunity. I’ll remember today for the rest of my life and it’s a really great experience.”

Jack Miller joked that, having also met the Thai Prime Minister earlier this year, he's starting to feel a bit like an Australian dip൩lomat!

The riders will be back in their usual suits for Friday pr🐎actice at Misano.