We already know that Pope Leo XIV is a sporty pope. It won't be long before he's moved back into the newly renovated Apostolic Palace, but he's also returning to newly updated home gym to keep himself in shape.
According to Italian media, it will be a spacious area located on one side of the palace, with views of the IOR—the famous circular building that houses the Vatican Bank.
The American pontiff has admitted that during his breaks at Castel Gandolfo, which he faithfully visits every Tuesday, he usually takes the opportunity to unwind and exercise.
POPE LEO XIV
A bit of tennis, a bit of swimming.
“I think that, in order to truly take good care of ourselves, everyone should do a bit of activity for both body and soul—everything together. I think that for me, at least, having a moment, a pause during the week really helps a lot.
This is nothing new in the Pope's life. As a cardinal, he regularly went to a gym in the nearby Borgo Pio neighborhood about three times a week.
It was also not unusual to see him on this tennis court. It belongs to the Augustinian Order, just steps away from the Vatican. And when he moved to Rome in 2023 but no longer lived there, he continued to frequent the place.
FR. JOSEPH FARRELL
Prior General of the Augustinians
This was his home for 12 years. And so we have a tennis court up in our gardens. He, still when he moved back to Rome, he doesn't live here, and he comes over and prays with us every day. And at least once a week, he would go back up into the garden and play tennis. He's a very good tennis player. He plays for the sport, he plays for exercise, for stress relief, and also just for the joy of playing.
There is also a tennis court inside the Vatican, although it would be unusual to see him playing there, as it is an area frequently used by Vatican employees. Other activities are also held there, such as summer camps for employees’ children.
In any case, the Apostolic Palace will be a bit different from when his predecessors lived there—excluding Pope Francis, who chose to live in Casa Santa Marta instead.
So the papal apartments have not been used for more than 13 years and were in need of a thorough renovation before Pope Leo moved in.
That is why, in recent months, the large crane besides the Apostolic Palace has become a familiar sight for Romans and tourists passing through St. Peter’s Square.
These windows, in fact, usually revealed whether the Pope was home—one could tell whether or not the pope was present by checking to see if the light in his room was on.
Few moments were more symbolic of this than the final hours of Pope St. John Paul II. His bedroom light remained on at all times, becoming a symbol for the pilgrims gathered in the square praying for the pontiff.
But with Pope Leo XIV, things will be different. For security and privacy reasons, his apartment will not face the square directly, but rather this courtyard you see here. As a result, he will not use the bedroom of previous popes.
He will live in a kind of attic or loft, without a private bathroom in his room, and will share the space with his two trusted aides—his personal secretaries, Fathers Edgar and Marco Billeri.
Since being elected pope, Pope Leo has continued living in his cardinal’s apartment in this building, where the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is located.
