New American pope Leo XIV is "quite the amateur tennis player" 

Habemus papam! And apparently, he’s a big tennis fan.

The eyes of the world have been fixed on Rome all week, and not just because of the on-court action at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, over 100 Catholic cardinals traveled to the Vatican to begin the conclave to select his successor. On the second day of voting, white smoke was seen billowing from the Sistine Chapel to signal a new incoming pope.

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Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago native who spent much of his career ministering in Peru, took the name Leo XIV on Thursday as he became the first pope ever to hail from the United States.

He’s also known as a big fan of tennis, after old interviews have resurfaced revealing the 69-year-old’s love of sports—he’s said to be a fan of the Chicago Cubs—as well as hinting at his on-court prowess:

“I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,” Pope Leo XIV said in 2023. “Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice so I am looking forward to getting back on the court (laughs). Not that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.”

We’re guessing his new role as the newly elected head of the global Catholic Church will leave him even less time to hit the tennis courts.

Still, the tennis world seemed to welcome his selection warmly on Thursday, with several screens all over the Foro Italico tuned to the news.

On Campo Centrale, a shot of the American addressing the faithful at St. Peter’s Basilica was even shown on screens during a changeover in Fabio Fognini and Jacob Fearnley’s first-round match. When the stadium announcer told fans the news over the PA system, it was met with loud applause. (Video above)

New Pope Leo also continues the tradition of a tennis-loving Pontificate: The late Francis famously congratulated the people of Italy shortly after Jannik Sinner’s first Grand Slam victory at the 2024 Australian Open.

"Sports are not just about competing but also relations,” Francis said in a speech at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. “And in the case of tennis, it's a dialogue that often becomes artistic.”