He Called Himself Robert. Coach of Leo XIV Was Quite Surprised When He Found Out Who His Client Was.

The Pope's Trainer Shared About the Pontiff's Sports Workouts

26-year-old Valerio Mazella shared his training experience with Robert Prevo - the current Pope Leo XIV - in the gym of the Vatican, not knowing that he was a high-ranking cardinal. This was reported by 'Glavcom' citing the Italian publication Il Messaggero.

Starting to work with Prevo in 2023, when he became the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, Mazella had no idea that his client would become a future pontiff. For almost two years, Leo XIV regularly visited the gym, remaining unrecognizable. He came in casual clothes and introduced himself as 'Robert'.

I did not know who he was. He was modest, friendly, and consistent. He worked out two or three times a week, in the morning, depending on his work schedule. He never complained, did not demonstrate his status. I thought he was a professor or an academic, Mazella recalls.

The coach emphasized that Robert Prevo has an impressive physical condition for his age. 'His body shows long-term physical activity. The excellent balance between muscle, bone, and fat mass is rarely seen in men of his age,' Mazella highlighted.

The training program included a warm-up, muscle-forming exercises, and specific exercises to improve posture - an important element for those who spend a lot of Time at a desk.

Let us recall, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Pope Leo XIV exchanged gifts during their meeting in the Vatican. The head of the Ukrainian state presented the pontiff with an icon of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus Christ, painted on wood.

In the Vatican, it was noted that the audience with the Holy Father is a continuation of the contacts between the Holy See and Kyiv.

Analysis

This story about the Pope's sports training adds a new aspect to the perception of the Vatican. It turns out that even in the Vatican, there are professional trainers who care for the physical condition of high-ranking officials. These details make the image of the pontiff more accessible and human.