On May 14, 2025, during a rest day at the Italian Open, world No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner visited Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Sinner presented the Pope with a tennis racket and ball, and offered to play a brief volley. However, Pope Leo XIV, a self-proclaimed amateur tennis enthusiast, declined the offer, citing the fragile surroundings and his traditional cassock, humorously likening it to Wimbledon attire. (apnews.com)

Earlier in the week, Pope Leo XIV had made light-hearted remarks about not inviting Sinner for a charity match, playing on the English meaning of Sinner’s last name. Sinner responded playfully, expressing that it’s beneficial for tennis players to have a pope who enjoys the sport. (apnews.com)

This meeting took place as Sinner returned to competitive tennis after a three-month doping suspension, marking his first tournament back at the Italian Open. He is aiming to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since 1976. (apnews.com)

Jannik Sinner Meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican:

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Jannik Sinner of Italy enjoys a lighthearted moment with Pope Leo XIV during their meeting at the Vatican on May 14, 2025.

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VATICAN CITY — Peace has been established between Pope Leo XIV and Jannik Sinner.

On Wednesday, the top-ranked tennis star visited the new pope, presenting him with a tennis racket and proposing a game during his day off from the Italian Open.

Leo, being the first American pope, is known for his passion for tennis and had expressed interest in a charity match earlier this week when proposed by a journalist.

At that time, Leo humorously remarked, “we can’t invite Sinner,” referencing the meaning of Sinner’s last name in English.

By Wednesday, it all seemed forgotten.

“It’s a great honor,” Sinner expressed in Italian as he and his family arrived in a reception area of the Vatican’s auditorium. Carrying one of his rackets and offering Leo another along with a ball, the three-time Grand Slam champion challenged for a quick game. However, the pope glanced at the antiques around and replied, “Better not.”

Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago, also joked about his white cassock, alluding to Wimbledon’s all-white dress code.

He inquired about Sinner’s experience at the Italian Open. “Now I’m in the game,” Sinner replied. “It was a bit tough at the start of the tournament.”

Sinner is set to play in the quarterfinals on Thursday, marking his return after a three-month doping suspension, determined to be accidental contamination.

He will next face freshly crowned Madrid champion Casper Ruud, striving to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

During their audience, Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, presented Leo with an honorary federation card.

“We all sensed the enthusiasm that Leo XIV has for our sport, which filled us with pride,” Binaghi commented in a statement. “We hope to have the Holy Father with us again soon, perhaps on a tennis court.”

The pope and Sinner posed for photos next to the Davis Cup trophy, which Sinner helped Italy secure for the second consecutive year. The Billie Jean King Cup trophy, won by Italy in 2024, representing the largest women’s team competition in tennis, was also displayed in the room.

Earlier in the week, after Leo’s initial jest about not wanting to invite him, Sinner remarked that it was “positive for us tennis players” that the new pope enjoys playing the sport.

Apart from tennis, Leo is a dedicated fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team.

His predecessor, Pope Francis, was a lifelong supporter of the San Lorenzo soccer club in Buenos Aires.

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