Pope Leo XIV delighted after receiving a signed Rafael Nadal shirt, expressing his wish to one day play a match with the tennis legend.
Newsroom (13/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV, known for his calm and down-to-earth personality, revealed a playful side this week when he expressed his willingness to play a tennis match with Rafael Nadal. The lighthearted remark came after receiving a shirt signed by the legendary Spanish tennis player — a gesture that clearly moved the pontiff.
The gift was presented to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, February 11, following the General Audience held on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which also marks the World Day of the Sick. The moment occurred through the coordination of Dr. José Luis Zamorano, head of the Cardiology Service at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid, who traveled to the Vatican as part of a delegation of Spanish healthcare professionals.
The shirt carried Nadal’s personal inscription: “To Pope Leo XIV with all my admiration and affection,” accompanied by his signature. According to Dr. Zamorano, the pontiff was touched by the gesture. “He was very excited and told me, ‘how nice,’ and that someday he’d like to play a game,” the doctor shared after the meeting. The encounter, brief but rich in warmth, highlighted the Pope’s openness and human touch.
The visit itself arose from a gesture of gratitude by Father Ángel Camino, an Augustinian priest from Spain, who wished to thank the cardiology team for their care of several clergy members. “May the Pope receive us,” Father Camino had requested, referring to Dr. Zamorano, whose team’s compassion and professionalism had deeply impressed the Spanish clergy.
According to the Archdiocese of Madrid, around 70 hospital workers and their family members joined the audience — an encounter that turned into what Dr. Zamorano described as “a wonderful experience.” The Pope took time to greet nearly everyone present, pausing with particular tenderness to speak with a patient who was part of the group, offering words described as full of “enormous affection.”
Dr. Zamorano also reflected on the impression left by the pontiff’s character. “Pope Leo XIV is a calm, tranquil, and very approachable person, with the ability to listen,” he said. “He is arguably the most relevant figure worldwide, and yet, despite being tremendously busy, he manages to convey availability and service.”
The image of the Pope smiling at a signed Nadal shirt — and joking about a possible future game — serves as a reminder that even spiritual leaders can appreciate the joy, discipline, and humanity found in sports. Whether a match between the Holy Father and the Spanish champion ever materializes remains to be seen, but the exchange already stands as a testament to the bridge that simple gestures can build between worlds of faith and sport.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Prensa
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