ROME — Coincidentally, when Pope Leo XIV was chosen to lead the Catholic Church, the Italian Open tennis tournament was taking place just a short distance from the Vatican.
Remarkably, tennis holds a special place in the heart of Leo XIV, the first American pope. Known in his earlier life as Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost, Leo is an avid, though self-proclaimed amateur, tennis enthusiast. During an interview with the Augustinian Order in 2023, soon after assuming a new role at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops following extensive missionary work in Peru, Leo shared his passion for the sport.
“I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,” Leo revealed. He expressed eagerness to return to the tennis courts, saying, “Since leaving Peru, I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court. However, this new responsibility hasn’t afforded me much leisure time for it yet.”
Even though Rome’s Mediterranean climate allows for tennis to be played outdoors throughout the year, and numerous courts are scattered across the city, Leo’s new papal duties might restrict his time on the court. Nonetheless, Greek tennis professional Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has secured a top rank as high as No. 3 in his career, extended an invitation to play with the pope whenever he can find the time.
“Why not?” Tsitsipas remarked when questioned after a victorious second-round match. “I think figures like him can teach humanity a lot … I feel privileged to be here when this was announced.”
During Leo’s introduction at the Vatican on Thursday, first-round tennis matches were underway at the famous Foro Italico grounds. An image of the newly elected pope was displayed on the Campo Centrale scoreboard amid a match between Jacob Fearnley and Fabio Fognini. Additionally, a large screen outside the stadium remained tuned to a news channel broadcasting the announcement of Leo XIV’s papacy.
Apart from his love for tennis, Leo has a special affinity for the Chicago White Sox baseball team, as confirmed by his brother.