Pope Leo XIV revealed as avid Tennis player and AS Roma fan
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the global Catholic Church, may hold the highest spiritual office in the world, but his heart remains grounded in the joys of sport. According to close associates, the 69-year-old pontiff is not only a devoted spiritual leader but also a regular tennis player and a passionate supporter of Italian football club AS Roma.
In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Father Joseph Farrell, Vicar General of the Augustinian order, offered insights into the personal interests of the new pope, who he has known for more than 40 years.
“He’s a regular tennis player. He would come up and play on our grounds once a week at least,” Father Farrell said from the order’s headquarters just off St. Peter’s Square.
This revelation adds a refreshing human dimension to the new pontiff, who officially assumed the papacy on Thursday amid global fanfare. Beyond his ecclesiastical responsibilities, Pope Leo XIV is seen as someone who values physical activity and team sports, keeping in touch with his Chicago roots and Roman environment alike.
From Chicago to Rome: Baseball Roots, Football Passion
Born and raised in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has long been a White Sox baseball fan, further reflecting his lifelong connection to sports. The Vatican’s official media outlet recently shared an image of the pope on horseback during his missionary work in Peru, highlighting his active lifestyle even in his earlier clerical years.
But it is his allegiance to AS Roma, the capital's storied football club, that has caught the attention of Italian sports fans and Vatican-watchers alike.
“He’s Roma all the way,” Father Farrell confirmed with a smile.
While AS Roma has yet to officially confirm the pope’s fandom, the club warmly welcomed him in a message posted shortly after his election:
“AS Roma joins in rejoicing with Rome and the world following the election of Pope Leo XIV, and wishes him all the very best for his papacy,” the club wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The brief but heartfelt message has since gone viral among football and Catholic communities online.
A Pope for the People—and the Game
Pope Leo’s interest in sports is not unprecedented among pontiffs. Pope John Paul II was an accomplished skier and avid hiker, while Pope Francis is famously a fan of Argentina’s San Lorenzo de Almagro football club. However, Leo XIV’s embrace of both American and European sports — from Major League Baseball to Serie A football and weekly tennis matches — positions him as a unique bridge between continents, cultures, and communities.
As the world welcomes a new spiritual leader, many are encouraged by his relatability and the personal passions he brings to the papacy. With his athletic enthusiasm and team loyalties on full display, Pope Leo XIV may be the most sports-loving pope in modern Vatican history.
SportsLigue
