Alex Zanardi has received a letter of support from Pope Francis as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medallist recovers from a handbike crash.

The Pope penned a letter of encouragement on Wednesday assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers. It was published on the front page of Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Dearest Alessandro, your story is an example of how to start again after an unforeseen stop. Through sport, you have taught us to live life as a protagonist, teaching a lesson of humanity through disability. Thank you for having given strength to those who have lost it. In this painful moment, I am close to you and I pray for you and your family,” the letter read.

Zanardi, who lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash nearly 20 years ago, has been on a ventilator since he crashed his handbike into a truck near the Tuscan town of Pienza on Friday during a relay event.

He is stable, but suffered serious facial and cranial trauma, and doctors have warned of possible brain damage. The Siena hospital where he is being treated has said he will remain in a medically induced coma until at least next week.