Pope hails Zanardi's 'lesson of humanity' through disability
The front page of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport showing Pope Francis writing a letter of encouragement to Alex Zanardi, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Pope Francis is praising Alex Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist recovers from a handbike crash. Francis penned a letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers that was published on the front page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The front page of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport showing Pope Francis writing a letter of encouragement to Alex Zanardi, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Pope Francis is praising Alex Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist recovers from a handbike crash. Francis penned a letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers that was published on the front page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Jun. 24, 2020 05:30 AM EDT
The page of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport showing Pope Francis writing a letter of encouragement to Alex Zanardi, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Pope Francis is praising Alex Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist recovers from a handbike crash. Francis penned a letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers that was published on the front page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The page of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport showing Pope Francis writing a letter of encouragement to Alex Zanardi, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Pope Francis is praising Alex Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist recovers from a handbike crash. Francis penned a letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers that was published on the front page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Jun. 24, 2020 05:34 AM EDT
In this photo taken on Saturday, June 15, 2019 file photo, Alex Zanardi takes the catwalk during the Emporio Armani men's Spring-Summer 2020 collection, unveiled during the fashion week, in Milan, Italy. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

In this photo taken on Saturday, June 15, 2019 file photo, Alex Zanardi takes the catwalk during the Emporio Armani men's Spring-Summer 2020 collection, unveiled during the fashion week, in Milan, Italy. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Jun. 19, 2020 12:42 PM EDT
FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 file photo, Alex Zanardi, of Italy, rides during the cycling portion of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 file photo, Alex Zanardi, of Italy, rides during the cycling portion of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Jun. 19, 2020 12:41 PM EDT
In this photo taken on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, Italy's Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi, smiles after winning the silver medal in the men's road race H5, during the 2016 Paralympics Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Mauro Pimentel)

In this photo taken on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, Italy's Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi, smiles after winning the silver medal in the men's road race H5, during the 2016 Paralympics Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Mauro Pimentel)

Jun. 19, 2020 12:49 PM EDT