Pope Leo XIV brings a lifelong passion for tennis, baseball, and European football to the leadership of the Catholic Church, blending rigorous athletic appreciation with a demanding international schedule. As the Vatican prepares for high-level diplomatic and pastoral visits, sports historians and observers are reflecting on a pontiff whose enthusiasm for competitive sports mirrors a long tradition among modern leaders of the Holy See.
A Vatican Passion for Tennis and World Baseball
At 71 years old, Robert Francis Prevost—known globally as Pope Leo XIV—maintains a deep affinity for tennis, frequently expressing regret that his demanding schedule leaves him little time to step onto the court. The connection was underscored shortly after his election in May 2025, when world number one tennis star Jannik Sinner visited the Vatican to present the Pontiff with a replica of his professional racket. Sinner offered the Holy See a chance to rally on-site, to which Pope Leo XIV quipped with characteristic humor, “But we’re going to break something here! Better not to do it.”
Born in Chicago, the Pontiff carries a natural allegiance to baseball, specifically supporting the Chicago White Sox over their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs. The divisional rivalry sparked spirited debates in the Midwest as the white smoke emerged from the conclave, coinciding with a strong divisional campaign by the White Sox. Father Joseph Farrell, a longtime acquaintance of Pope Leo XIV spanning some four decades, also notes the Pontiff’s steadfast support for AS Rome. His sporting forecasts, however, carry a lighter touch; asked nine months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup which side he favored, he playfully backed Peru—where he lived for approximately two decades—alongside Italy.
Comparing Papal Legacies in Sport
Pope Leo XIV’s outspoken views on physical education align with a rich history of sports fandom among previous popes. In an address to competitive swimmers, the Pontiff described sport as an essential “remedy for the body and for the spirit,” emphasizing core values of personal engagement, solidarity, and honesty. This physical philosophy echoes the tenure of Pope Francis, an ardent childhood supporter of Argentine club San Lorenzo—famous for developing professional talents like Pablo Zabaleta and Ezequiel Lavezzi—who famously recalled playing football with improvised balls made of rags.
The Papacy’s sporting footprint extends further back into winter sports and high-altitude mountaineering:
- Pope John Paul II: A dedicated swimmer and avid skier who frequently slipped away from Vatican security during the winter months to ski anonymously down Italian alpine slopes in sunglasses and a heavy beanie.
- Pope Pius XI: Before his ascension, Achille Ratti was an accomplished mountaineer, famously completing a high-altitude bivouac above 4,000 meters in the Monte Rosa alpine massif along the Italian-Swiss border under freezing conditions.
The Physical Demands of Modern Papal Itineraries
Translating athletic stamina into pastoral duties, Pope Leo XIV faces a rigorous upcoming schedule that demands the endurance of an athlete. The itinerary includes formal dialogues with religious leaders, discussions concerning European diplomacy, extensive open-air greetings via the popemobile, and a solemn mass held at the local cathedral. The demanding pace recalls the hurried 1988 pastoral journey of John Paul II, who completed a whirlwind tour across regional sites before departing for Nancy. Whether viewed through the lens of a marathon or a sprint, the daily life of a pontiff remains an exercise in endurance.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Vatican’s official schedule involves the continuation of these high-level European pastoral engagements and diplomatic meetings.
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