Pope Leo plays tennis religiously as part of an Augustinian devotion to sports and spirituality

When Pope Leo XIV was elected last year and it emerged that he was a tennis player his love of the sport was quickly celebrated during an audience with top-ranked Jannik Sinner.

In the ensuing months Leo has tried to set aside time in his busy schedule to play the sport every week as part of his Augustinian devotion to physical activity and spirituality.

Leo likes to spend Mondays and Tuesdays at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo in the hills outside Rome where he plays tennis with his secretary.

Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic says it's “amazing to hear that Pope Leo loves tennis” and adds that it's a game you enjoy “especially when you are playing without pressure of time, without pressure of tournaments.”