Video: Pope Leo XIV hosts tennis star, Sinner
Abdullateef Fowewe
Pope Leo XIV, known for his enthusiasm for tennis, welcomed world number one Jannik Sinner at the Vatican, as announced by the Holy See on Wednesday.
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Sinner, who is currently participating in the Italian Open in Rome, was joined by his family and Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation.
“The Pope’s love for tennis is widely acknowledged,” stated the head of the Vatican press office in a brief announcement. Reports suggest that the 69-year-old pontiff, who was born in Chicago, enjoys not just watching tennis but playing it as well.
During a meeting with international journalists on Monday, Pope Leo was invited to participate in a charity tennis tournament.
“Of course,” the pope replied. “I’ll come with (Andre) Agassi. As long as it’s not Sinner,” he quipped.
