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Less than a day after white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel and Pope Leo XIV took his place atop the Catholic church, the American’s favorite sport has been revealed – tennis.
Those in his hometown of Chicago may have been hoping for the answer to be basketball for the beloved Bulls, or baseball, as the city is split between the long-standing Cubs and the southside White Sox, who Pope Leo is a fan of.
Pope Leo admitted during a 2023 interview, days after being named a Cardinal in the church by his processor, Pope Francis, his love for tennis.
‘I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,’ Pope Leo told the Augustinian Order. ‘Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice so I am looking forward to getting back on the court [laughs]. Not that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.’
Before moving to Vatican City, Pope Leo was a Bishop in Peru for several years, having only moved away from the United States in 2014.
Who his favorite tennis players are are not known. However, two major tournaments take place not too far from the Sistine Chapel, as Wimbledon and the French Open would be short flights.
Pope Leo XIV’s favorite sport has been revealed to be tennis a day after he was elected
Television screens at the Italian Open watched his introduction while matches took place
‘Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election.,’ tennis legend Billie Jean King said on X. ‘Thinking of him as he begins his work to lead the Catholic Church and its 1.3billion believers worldwide. Also, thrilled to learn he is a tennis player!’
During the papal conclave that elevated Pope Leo to the head of the Catholic church, the Italian Open was taking place about a 20-minute drive from Vatican City.
As the historic announcement was being made, fans watched television screens around the Campo Centrale while a match was going on.
Despite Pope Leo’s zest for tennis, his new job is likely going to make him busier than ever before, limiting his time to participate in and attend matches.
The tradition of heads of the Catholic church having a fondness for tennis will continue with Pope Leo after Pope Francis congratulated Italian star Jannik Sinner after he won his first Grand Slam, last year’s Australian Open.
‘Sports are not just about competing but also relations,’ Francis said in a speech in 2024. ‘And in the case of tennis, it’s a dialogue that often becomes artistic.’
Pope Leo needed at least two-third support of the papal conclave to become the new pontiff, with white smoke appearing after a second vote.
Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries-old ritual to elect the 267th pontiff.
