He’s also known as a big fan of tennis, after old interviews have resurfaced revealing the 69-year-old’s love of sports—he’s said to be a fan of the Chicago Cubs—as well as hinting at his on-court prowess:
“I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,” Pope Leo XIV said in 2023. “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.”
We’re guessing his new role as the newly elected head of the global Catholic Church will leave him even less time to hit the tennis courts.
Still, the tennis world seemed to welcome his selection warmly on Thursday, with several screens all over the Foro Italico tuned to the news.
