As the 2025 Italian Open unfolds in Rome, Pope Leo XIV welcomed professional tennis player Jannik Sinner to the Vatican for a special audience on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Italian tennis star was accompanied by his family and Alberto Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis Federation. The meeting took place in the reception rooms adjacent to Paul VI Hall.
According to Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni, the Pope’s admiration for tennis is well-known. During the audience, Sinner humorously offered the Pope a tennis ball, asking if he wanted to play. Pope Leo responded with a smile, “Here we’ll break something. Best not to!”
The visit coincides with the 2025 Italian Open, also known as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, currently underway at the Foro Italico in Rome. The tournament, running from May 7 to May 18, is part of the elite ATP and WTA 1000 tours and features many of the world’s top-ranked players.
This meeting reflects Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing engagement with athletes and cultural figures, highlighting the intersection of sport, values, and human connection.
