Tennis fan Pope Leo XIV received men’s world number one Jannik Sinner, who is currently competing in the Italian Open in Rome, the Vatican said Wednesday.

“The Pope’s passion for tennis is well known,” the head of the Vatican’s press office said in a short statement.

Sinner was accompanied by members of his family and the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, Angelo Binaghi, during the visit, he said.

The 69-year-old Chicago-born pope likes not just to watch but also to play, according to reports.

In an interview after being made cardinal in 2023, the former missionary in Peru said, “I consider myself an amateur tennis player.

“Since I left Peru, I haven’t had many opportunities to play, but I can’t wait to get back on the court.”

Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport said that according to his friends, the Augustinian “has an excellent backhand and is a formidable competitor”.

On Monday during an audience with the international press, the pope was asked by a journalist to take part in a charity tennis tournament.

“Certainly,” replied the pope. “I’ll come with (Andre) Agassi,” he said.

“As long as it’s not Sinner,” he joked.

At a tournament press conference Monday following Sinner’s third round victory over Dutchman Jesper de Jong, journalists asked Sinner what he thought about having a tennis-loving pope.

“It’s great for tennis players to have a pope who follows us and who has played.” said Sinner.

Among one of the Vatican’s many amenities is an outdoor clay tennis court.

AFP