Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner had an audience on Wednesday with newly elected Pope Leo XIV, himself a keen tennis player, the Vatican said.
Sinner was invited to the Vatican along with his parents and a delegation from the Italian Tennis Federation.
Leo joked earlier this week that he didnt want to meet the world number one, at least not behind the net.
Asked by a journalist if he would take part in a charity match, Leo appeared up for it, but cautioned: Just dont bring Sinner, making a Catholic pun about the last name of the tennis star.
Sinner presented the pope with one of his tennis rackets, but the pontiff declined a suggestion that they knock a ball around, staring up at the lights in the reception room. Better not, he said, to laughter.
