When he resigned, Benedict cited his advanced age as the reason, saying he no longer had the strength for "an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry".

BBC: Ex-Pope Benedict returns to Vatican

The original games were for "literary and fine art entertainment and for skill and strength in athletic exercise" and this was "precisely the ethos and the spirit of the Olympics that will be re-created", Shropshire Council said.

BBC: The Shropshire Olympian Festival recreates 1864 event

We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of 'peace on earth, good will toward men'.

BBC: The speeches written but never given