Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day

The Pope Leo XIV surprised Jannik Sinner by visiting him during an off day at the Italian Open, a gesture that delighted both parties despite his initial joke about not inviting him due to language barriers. The pope, a tennis enthusiast, greeted Siner with a custom-made racket and expressed pride in his passion for the sport, while also referencing Italy's achievements on the tennis court. The meeting concluded with symbolic gestures, including the pope's audience and the display of trophies celebrating Italy's success in recent tournaments.