The tennis court of their excellence

With Pope Leo XIV a series of questions which are usually repeated in time when the Church chooses New Pontiff. Any detail is news in Robert Francis Prevost’s past, from his favorite meals to his political inclinations or his favorite sport or hobby. For example, it was known that Francisco was A football lover And he had a “soul” team. With Leo XIV the Church can once again begin an ancient tradition in one of the less known and secret spaces of the Vatican: tennis.

Chiclayo’s old friend. Although born in Chicago, the new Pontiff was received with joy and affection in the Peruvian city of Chiclayo, where he left an indelible mark for almost four decades of pastoral service. It He had Reuters: Arrived in 1985 as a young missionary to one of the most humble regions in the north of the country, Robert Prevost not only dedicated his religious life to the community, but also fully integrated into local life: he obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015 when he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo.

In fact, Chiclayanos do not remember it with pompous clothing or great protocols, but driving A white truck through flooded streets during seasonal rains, distributing food, loading oxygen balls during pandemic and visiting the faithful on foot, without a driver or a delegation. That was where one of his big hobbies revealed: Tennis (and Creole music)and it was usual to see him play in the monastery of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo.

In his new address he also has a court waiting.

The Vatican racket. I told it This week The Athletic. With the new Pope not only a new chapter for the Catholic Church is opened, but also a curious and little known detail from the Vatican heart: the existence of A tennis court discreetly located behind the walls of the smallest state on the planet.

Although it is not visible from the street, the clue It is given a protective network that appears above the walls near the Vatican Museum. What is hidden is a red tennis track (built in the north corner of the papal enclave) that has been a corner reserved for the recreation of cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and, in more recent times, employees of the Vatican and their children.

The court and tradition. Apparently, although its existence is unknown even for many regular observers of the Holy See, satellite images and Pontifical Council Archives For the laity they have documented a more active past of this sports enclave, one that lived its golden age in the seventies with tournaments where future cardinals participated as Giovanni Battista re or the Jesuit Roberto Tucci.

It happens that Tradition declined when entry to lay employees and their children (young people more agile than Prelates), and the tournament ended up disappearing until its shy reappearance in 2008. In other words: to its Excellent They did not like to lose or tennis.

The Tenista Pope. As we said, far from maintaining institutional solemnity as the only public feature, the new Pontiff has already presented himself as an enthusiastic fan of tennis. In one Interview granted To the website of the Order of San Agustín, Prevost described how “A true tennis fan” and confessed that, after his missionary stage in Peru, he had few opportunities to practice, so he hoped to wield the racket again.

One more fan. In a relaxed tone, he joked about his loyalty to the Chicago White Sox in baseball, equating it with a vocation for temperance and perseverance, and denied false rumors that linked him as Follower of Carlos Alcaraz (For the tranquility of the devotees of Jannik Sinner).

If you want also, although now it embodies one of the most solemn figures on the planet, its fondness for the racket connects it with a human and contemporary dimension, away from the Vatican protocols.

Secrets and tradition. Although it may seem a minor anecdote in the context of a new papacy, The Times explained that the discovery of the sports side of the new Pontiff and the existence of a tennis court in full Vatican offer an unexpected window towards the most daily and surprising aspects of papal life.

The existence of this track, which as we said, It is unknown Even by members of the Italian Tennis Federation and by the clergy, it confirms that the Vatican walls still keep Secrets and traditions They escape the public eye. Plus (and very important detail): the fact that currently no member of the Swiss Guard Practice the sport could facilitate the way to the Pope if he decides to relaunch a friendly tournament.

Another very different thing is that you can find companions of your level.

Image | NegativespaceWikimedia

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