Article by David Istrate – published on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 21:31 / Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2025 21:34
Pope Leon XIV, chosen on Thursday, May 8, leads the Catholic church, is passionate about several sports, but prefers to play tennis. In a corner of the Vatican, guarded by the high walls of the fortress, there is a tennis court that the Sovereign Pontiff could use to develop his game.
In the middle of this week, there was joy in Rome and throughout the world, after the white smoke came out on the Vatican chapel, indicated that a new pope was chosen on the second day of the Conclav convened after Pope Francis.
Pope Leon XIV, passionate about tennis: “I can't wait to return to the field”
US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, received the most votes from cardinal and He was in charge of occupying the highest position in the Catholic Church.
Licensed in mathematics and with serious studies in theology, the new Pontiff is also passionate about sports. In recent days, various information about Pope Leon XIV for American football and basketball has emerged, but his favorite sport is tennis.
Before being called Cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost spent a long time in Peru, where he was a missionary, spreading the gospel. Also in South America was the place where the new Pope found time to play tennis.
“I consider myself a pretty amateur player of tennis”, The leader of the Catholic church said in an interview, according to Pillacarcarcic.
“Since I left Peru, I have had little opportunities to train, so I can hardly wait to come back to the field. Not that this job would have left me too much free time for this,” said the one who is part of Saint Augustine.
The first Vatican tennis court was built in the middle of the 16th century
Although the free time will be even shorter, Pope Leon XIV has a tennis court in the Vatican. It is located in the northeast of the enclave inside Rome, being positioned near the Vatican museums.
According to the satellite images offered by Google Maps, the Vatican tennis court is in the corner that gives the Vaticano – Via Leone IV. At height, the high walls of the fortress do not offer any shelter against the sun. Instead, an oak assumes the shadow on the southern side of the ground.
Vatican/photo tennis court: Capture (Google Maps)
The history of tennis at the Vatican appeared long before Pope Leon XIV was born. Specifically, the first tennis court in this small sovereign state was built in the middle of the 16th century, during the pontificate of Pope Iulius III (1550-1555).
Later, according to Real-Tennis.nl, a painting made by Domenico Parasacchi in 1647 depicts two people who play tennis on both sides. More than three centuries after this painting, At the Vatican, a tennis tour began to be organized, called the “Friendship Tournament”.
Open friendship tournament and Vatican Open, competitions organized in the 20th century
According to Matchtennis.com, the first edition of the tournament took place in 1977, after the Vatican gardens and the reconstruction of the tennis court. The Athletic publication announces that the first title came back to Giovanni Battista re, who, at present, is the dean of the Cardinal College, being responsible for the presidency of the Holy Liturgy of Pope Francis.
“There is still the tennis court on which those tournaments were played and where personalities in the church and sport were spending enthusiastic moments. But there is no one to promote this more active sport inside the Vatican and a part of the only land remaining is occupied by tents used for gardening. When the Vatican Museums were renovated we had to give up the space we used to use for sport”, Declared the former Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano.
As a different fact, on December 10, 2007, it was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an apostolic wedding in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, holding this position until July 20, 2015. On January 20, 2017, Monsignor Lozano was decorated with the National Order of Romania “Faithful Service” in the rank of great cross.
Returning to tennis, between 1981 and 1984, the Vatican organized tournaments with teams made up of 4 players, and in 1985, the start of a simple competition was started. The Open Vatican was promoted by the legendary Italian players Nicola Pietrangeli and Adriano Panatta.
The Vatican Tennis Land
Pope's commitment to Leon XIV: “To disappear, to remain Christ”
After a break, at the initiative of the employees of the Vatican Museums, the tennis tournaments resumed. It remains to be seen whether Pope Leon XIV will contribute to the popularization of this sport and if he will appear in a cardinals.
However, the way in his sanctity ended his first sermon as the pope indicates other priorities.
A commitment that none of those who exercise a ministry in the Church can give up: to disappear, to remain Christ. To become small, for him to be known and praised. To consume to the end, so that no one lacks the opportunity to know and love. God give me this grace today and always, with the help of the tender intercession of Maria, the Mother of the Church
– Pope Leon XIV (translation belongs to Father Francis Doboș)
Pope Leon XIV / Photo: Imago
