2016-05-12 14:38:00

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday received a special white Table Tennis table with personalized paddles in an effort to promote UnPlugNPlay Day, which encourages family and friends to put away their computers, mobile phones, and other devices in order to have fun, and connect with those they love.

The table tennis equipment was given to the Holy Father by Franco Sciannimanico, the President of the Italian Table Tennis Federation, and Robert Blackwell Jr., managing director of the American company Killerspin, which manufactures Table Tennis equipment.

The two men said during the encounter, which took place shortly before the General Audience, Pope Francis recalled the role of table tennis in the 1970’s détente between China and the United States.

This year, UnPlugNPlay Day will take place on August 29.