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New York Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Pope Leo XIV heads the Catholic church from Vatican City — where a secret tennis court awaits
ROME — When in Rome, head to the corner of the Via Leone IV and the Viale Vaticano and turn west for about 50 yards along the latter, to where the line starts to build for entry to the Vatican Museum. Crane your neck up to the top of the 39-foot-high Vatican City wall, and there it is — one of the few things besides trees and buildings that peek above the fortifications to be visible from street level. Advertisement A high, netted fence juts above the wall, stretching a few meters across. It would not deter anyone who had just overcome 12 meters of vertical brickwork, but it is not there to protect the Pope, the Cardinals, the Swiss Guard and Vatican staff. It is there for the benefit of the people walking below: to stop a bad shank, an over-enthusiastic lob or a spiked smash sending a tennis ball plummeting to earth and onto the heads of passing pedestrians. That fence encircles the campo centrale of the Catholic church: the Vatican City tennis court — now under the dominion of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, or rather Pope Leo XIV. After white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on May 8, the new leader of the Roman Catholic church was beamed onto the stadia at Rome's Foro Italico, where the crowds at the Italian Open turned their attention from the tennis to cheer. Then the questions rolled in. Can Pope Leo XIV unite the progressive and conservative wings of the church and its 1.3 billion souls? Can the first pontiff from the United States manage the baggage that comes with hailing from the Western superpower? And does this guy need tickets for the Italian Open finals next weekend, just shy of two miles north of his new domain? To the extent that he had much of a reputation outside of those in the know at the Vatican and his coterie of longtime friends in Chicago and at Villanova University, Penn., Pope Leo XIV had already told the world that tennis is his sport. 'I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,' the future Pope Leo said in an interview with the website of the Augustinian Order in 2023, when his predecessor, Pope Francis, gave him his red Cardinal's hat on his arrival in Rome. (No, not the St. Louis Cardinals. When it comes to baseball, Pope Leo is a Chicago White Sox fan, meaning temperance and perseverance in adversity are in his wheelhouse.) Advertisement 'Since leaving Peru (where he worked for the previous nine years), I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court,' he said. At first, he appeared to have said that he was a Carlos Alcaraz fan, which might have perturbed the local denizens of his new home given Jannik Sinner's standing as Italy's sporting pontiff. They need not worry: the claim was fake. Unknown to some longtime close Vatican watchers, devout Catholics, and even several of the higher-ups at Italy's tennis federation, the FITP, there has long been what satellite images show is a lovely red court, tucked into the northern corner of the Vatican City. A security worker on duty outside the museum the morning of May 8 said most people don't know about it because it's not easy to find. People either know it's there, across the road from the building that surrounds the Cortile Ottagono courtyard, or they don't. The gardens and area around the tennis court have been closed to the public since April 28 for the conclave to choose a new Pope. Having a hit was not high on the Cardinals' priority list. A tennis court may not figure highly in Vatican City apocrypha, but what information it has preserved paints a portrait of what was once a lively tennis scene, with Cardinals competing in a tournament that also included members of the Swiss Guard and was eventually opened up to Vatican employees and their children. On May 9, a spokesperson for the Swiss Guard, Cpl. Cinotti Eliah, wrote that as far as he knew, none of the guards now play tennis, which may be both good and bad news for Pope Leo. It could create an easier path to victory in any tournament he might organize, though perhaps it will be a little harder to find a quality young partner to join him in a last-minute hit. Advertisement Any laity who faced the Pope on court would face several moral dilemmas. Is it cool to hit a winner past him if he comes to the net? Tagging the leader of the Holy See during a net duel also sounds like a one-way ticket to excommunication. Messages that included questions about the tennis court sent to the communications office of the Holy See were not returned. The golden era of Vatican tennis was the late 1970s, after the court was renovated. Even the Cardinals got caught up in that first tennis boom of the modern era, according to archival research from the Pontifical Council for the Laity. A 'Tournament of Friendship' began in 1978. Giovanni Battista Re, who would become the Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, took the title. At the time, he was a priest who worked for the Secretariat of State, which performs the political and diplomatic functions for the Pope. In the final, Battista Re topped Roberto Tucci, an Italian Jesuit and the director general of Vatican Radio. He became a Cardinal, too. There was a third-place match. Peter Hasler, a Swiss Guard, beat Faustino Sainz Munoz of Spain, who became an archbishop. Priestly tennis benevolence proved their undoing. They stopped winning when they opened up the tournament to the employees of the Holy See's Property Administration, and then children of employees — a bad idea for older guys interested in winning championships. Eventually, participation waned and the tournament ended, before Vatican Museum employees started it again in 2008. Pope Leo won't have to work hard to find support among the sport's current pros if he wants to make tennis a bigger part of his reign. Iga Świątek said in a news conference that she would love to spend some time in St. Peter's Square waiting for the white smoke to emerge from the Sistine Chapel if she could work it out in her schedule. Emma Raducanu predicted a long conclave Wednesday night, a call which did not age well — Pope Leo was elected after a little more than 24 hours. Advertisement Madison Keys said Thursday night that her good friend Desirae Krawczyk, a doubles player, had hustled down to St. Peter's Square to join the excitement. All of it has made this opening week one that the Italian Open will never forget, especially come the announcement of his election appearing on stadium screens during matches Thursday evening. Turns out that was fitting. All these years later, Robert Francis Prevost finally made it in pro tennis. (Top photos: Andrej Isakovic, Alberto Pizzoli / Getty Images; Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Graphic: John Bradford / The Athletic)
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
JD Vance sparks fury by breaking Vatican protocol...can you see what he did wrong?
A photo of JD Vance from his visit to Vatican City has sparked outrage after viewers spotted a huge breach of protocol. The seemingly innocuous snap showed the Catholic Vice President holding his son inside the Sistine Chapel over Easter weekend. However, photography and the use of electronic photography is strictly prohibited inside the holy site, according to the Vatican Museum's website. The image soon sparked a backlash, with many online branding it disrespectful. 'For anyone who still says JD is a "good guy," Taking this pic is basically like giving God the finger,' one person wrote on X. 'It's prohibited to preserve the amazing art and sanctity of the space. (I'm not Catholic, and even I know this. You'd think the #VP would, too.' 'I guess JD Vance thought the Sistine Chapel's strict no-photography rule was just a humble suggestion for Easter weekend, huh?' another added. 'Taking pictures in Sistine Chapel is strictly prohibited,' a third person fumed. 'JD Vance behaves like a hobo it's highly disrespectful. US administration act like 4 yrs old boys in a playground believing that they deserve all toys.' The photograph was taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins. There is also precedent for other prominent figures being pictured inside the 552-year-old chapel, including former First Lady Michelle Obama. Vance was in Italy for a meeting with the late Pope Francis. They had an awkward exchange at the Vatican on Easter Sunday after the 88-year-old Pontiff slammed the Trump administration's treatment of illegal migrants. It came just one day after Vance, an adult Catholic convert, appeared to have been snubbed by the Pope and was initially forced to meet with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the foreign minister, Archbishop Peter Gallagher. The vice president and the Holy Father did later meet for a 'brief' exchange which lasted lasted a few minutes. The Pope offered the Catholic vice president three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance's three young children, who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries. Vance and the Pontiff's stances over migration and the Trump administration´s plans to deport migrants en masse clashed sharply. Francis made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy. 'I know you have not been feeling great but it's good to see you in better health,' Vance told the Pope. 'Thank you for seeing me.' The Holy Father passed away the next day from a cerebral stroke, prompting worldwide mourning. Francis died some 90 minutes after he was awoken by his alarm clock on Monday. The Pontiff, who died today aged 88 at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, 'passed away peacefully', according to his doctors. He reportedly woke up when his alarm went off at 6am, fell ill at 7am and died from a stroke at 7.35am, according to Corriere della Serra.
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry woman in Rome says people in city are 'distraught' at death of Pope Francis
Shannon Elumelu Oba and her mom, Theresa, are in the Italian capital this week on what was a surprise 50th birthday trip for Theresa. The pair, who are both very religious – Theresa herself recently graduated from the Lay Person's Course in Mary I in Limerick – were not going to pass up the opportunity to head to the Vatican on Easter Sunday of all days. Getting to see the late Pope on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica where, in a weak voice, he wished everyone a Happy Easter, Shannon and her mom were overjoyed, not knowing that they'd soon see the frail looking Argentine up close when he made a surprise tour of St Peter's Square in his pope-mobile where he waved to the crowds. "This trip to Italy was a present to my mom for her 50th birthday. We surprised her with a trip to Rome on Easter Sunday and we were lucky enough to get tickets to the mass. It was amazing and then when he came and did the mini-tour around the Square, it was so special and amazing. My mom was in tears the whole time, she was hugging everyone around her. She was just so grateful, we both were,' said Shannon. The news of his sudden passing from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure just a day later though left her in shock. On how she found out about his passing, she said she actually heard about it from a friend back home. "We were out for breakfast and I hadn't been on my phone much all morning and it was one of my friends that broke the news, they texted me telling me that the Pope had died. They were shocked because I had just seen him on Easter Sunday. I couldn't believe it. I was like 'no way!' and then I looked it up and there it was, 13 minutes ago posted by the BBC, that the Pope had passed away. "It's so shocking to have it happen so suddenly after we had seen him. For him to die the following day after we had seen him up close, we now realise we were just so lucky to have seen him,' she continued. On what the mood is like in Rome right now, Shannon said that it's a mixture of hectic and sombre. "Yesterday [Easter Monday], there was people crying all over the place, my mom included. People were just distraught. There is media everywhere and the crowds are huge, there's so many people,' she said. "Today (Tuesday) we actually did a tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. We got an early slot because we knew that later on in the day, they would have to close it down because they would need to get his body out. As we were leaving, we decided to see if we could go into St Peter's Basilica but we couldn't because they were sealing it off." The Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 in front of St Peter's Basilica at 9am Irish time.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Papal conclave to take place in majestic Sistine Chapel
Following the death of Pope Francis , the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will gather at some point next month to elect a new pope in one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Sistine Chapel . Below are some facts about the chapel: * Named after Pope Sixtus IV and built from 1473-81, it is 40 metres (131 feet) long, 13 metres (43 feet) wide and 21 metres (69 feet) high, lit on either side by high windows. * Michelangelo was commissioned by Julius II to paint the ceiling frescoes, completed between 1508 and 1512. The frescoes show scenes from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, most famously "The Creation of Adam" in which God reaches with his finger to touch the outstretched hand of the first man. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo * More than 20 years later, Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the awe-inspiring "Last Judgement" on the wall behind the altar, which was unveiled in 1541. * Michelangelo was immediately accused of immorality and obscenity for depicting naked figures in a church. After his death, a law was passed to cover up the offending genitalia with "modesty breeches", which were added by an apprentice. Live Events * The side walls are decorated by other artists, including Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. * From 1980 to 1994 specialists conducted one of the most ambitious art restoration projects in the world, stripping away centuries of accumulated dirt and soot that had darkened the frescoes. The results divided experts and amateurs, with some criticising the dazzling colours as too bright. * The Sistine Chapel was first used for a conclave after the death of Sixtus IV in 1484. A number of conclaves have been held elsewhere, including several in the 19th century at the Quirinale Palace, formerly a summer palace for the popes and now the official residence of the Italian president. * Some 6.8 million people visited the Vatican Museum , which includes the Sistine Chapel, in 2023 - the second most visited museum in the world after the Louvre, according to data site * German writer Goethe once remarked: "Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving".
Perth Now
22-04-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Papal conclave to take place in majestic Sistine Chapel
FACTS ABOUT THE SISTINE CHAPEL * Named after Pope Sixtus IV and built from 1473-81, it is 40 metres long, 13m wide and 21m high, lit on either side by high windows. * Michelangelo was commissioned by Julius II to paint the ceiling frescoes, completed between 1508 and 1512. The frescoes show scenes from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, most famously "The Creation of Adam" in which God reaches with his finger to touch the outstretched hand of the first man. * More than 20 years later, Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the awe-inspiring "Last Judgement" on the wall behind the altar, which was unveiled in 1541. * Michelangelo was immediately accused of immorality and obscenity for depicting naked figures in a church. After his death, a law was passed to cover up the offending genitalia with "modesty breeches", which were added by an apprentice. * The side walls are decorated by other artists, including Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. * From 1980 to 1994 specialists conducted one of the most ambitious art restoration projects in the world, stripping away centuries of accumulated dirt and soot that had darkened the frescoes. The results divided experts and amateurs, with some criticising the dazzling colours as too bright. * The Sistine Chapel was first used for a conclave after the death of Sixtus IV in 1484. A number of conclaves have been held elsewhere, including several in the 19th century at the Quirinale Palace, formerly a summer palace for the popes and now the official residence of the Italian president. * Some 6.8 million people visited the Vatican Museum, which includes the Sistine Chapel, in 2023 - the second most visited museum in the world after the Louvre, according to data site * German writer Goethe once remarked: "Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving".
