The Pope XIV lionthe Peruvian nationalized American Robert Francis Prevosthe was chosen as the successor of Franciscoand his announcement paralyzed the world. The sport was no stranger to the historical and in full event Masters 1000 of Romewhile the tennis players played an official encounter, the spectators were excited when the organization decided to momentarily suspend the show to inform what was happening in the Vatican.
The party played by the British Jacob Fearnley and the Italian Fabio Fognini He went to the background when in the high speakers they gave the news related to High pontiff. Immediately, the public reacted with a warm applause wrapped in emotion.
The duel ended with a clear victory for 6-2 y 6-3 In favor of the figure of the United Kingdom. It is no accident that tennis and the Roman city have staged XIV lionsince the Papa He is an amateur confessed to this discipline and on the occasional occasion he had assured that Miss the racket And that, virtually, He slipped into the images of the central track of the Italic forum in which the 1,000 Masters and the WTA 1,000 Rome.
“I consider myself an amateur tennis player. Since I left Peru, I have had few times to practice it so I really want to return to the track. My new job (at that time Cardinal) has not left me much free time for it so far, ”he said recently in an interview with the Augustian orderon the portal augustinianorder.org.
He was a missionary there, in the aforementioned order, from 1985 to 1999, before occupying the position of bishop of Chiclayo (Peru) between 2013 y 2023when Francisco He appointed him Cardenal.
Now, to their 69 years And with the new position, it seems unlikely to return to the courts. His sports passion left this curious reaction a few kilometers from the San Pedro Square in which he gave his first speech.
When the white smoke stopped the planet for a few seconds, in Rome the Masters and ATP 1,000 of Rome was also played at the same time. The matches, of course, did not stop, but the public did react to the news of world draft.
Also in the press room, full of Italian journalists waiting smoked blank And identity was learned.
“Jannik in”Said one of the journalists, breaking the silence and unleashing the laughs among those present.
The disappointment appropriated many when French Dominique Mamberti announced the name of Prevost. It was only an instant, because as soon as it was uncovered that the new Pope was fond of tennis, silence and concentration to write that curiosity seized the room.
On the other hand, from this last city in which he resided, he unleashed a debate in the local media on which football team was a fan, with Lima and Juan Aurich Alliance In the matter. The latterwhich is militating in the third division of Peruvian football, Reside in Chiclayo and was linked to Leo XIV. For their part, they also revealed that it could have some fanaticism for the cast Blue and whitewhich is considered one of the greatest in Peruvian football.
“Robert Prevost’s choice as the new Pope keeps Peruvians pending, especially football fans,” said the local media Depose. Another institution that got into the debate is Chicago Fire of the Major League Soccer (MLS)club that resides in the city of Chicago, where he was born Robert Prevost.
The election of Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name of Leo XIV, as leader of the Catholic Church marks a new chapter in his life and in the history of the Vatican. His career, marked by obedience, service and closeness with Pope Francis, positions him as a key figure to continue with the legacy of his predecessor.
