The head of the Catholic Church, elected by the Papal enclave in March, will perform the ceremonial lighting of the torch which will then embark on a tour across Europe before visiting a number of cities across Italy culminating in the official launch of the 26th Universiade in Trentino on December 11 at the Opening Ceremony.

The announcement was made by Trentino 2013 President Sergio Anesi at the headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in Rome.

The Trentino 2013 Torch was designed by the University of Trento's Industrial Engineering department under the slogan "Inspired by You" and aims to symbolise the mix of sport, research and technological innovation characterising the 26th Universiade.

In keeping with the traditions of previous Universiade torches, the new design will have an ergonomic shape and will be customised with the traditional Universiade colours of blue and green.

Following its official lighting by the Pope, the Trentino 2013 torch will travel to Brussels where it will visit several European institutions based in the Belgian capital and also stop off at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) international headquarters.

It will then move on to Paris to mark the 90-year anniversary of the first International University Games before stopping off in Lausanne.

Trentino 2013 organisers launch the Univerisade Torch in Rome