Pope, Leo XIV
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Amid his run at the 2025 Italian Open, world no. 1 Jannik Sinner enjoyed a memorable off-court moment as he met Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old star was received in a private audience alongside his family and the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, Mr. Angelo Binaghi.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, three days after the 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary made history as the first American elected to lead the Catholic Church.
The newly elected pope followed in his predecessor's footsteps, calling for ceasefires in Ukraine, Gaza, India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
The first American pope — previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost — was elected on May 8 Pope Leo XIV has plenty to say about his home country. The first-ever American pope was elected to lead the Catholic church on May 8.