New Delhi, May 14 -- Just days after being elected, Pope Leo XIV is already making headlines-not just for his role as the head of the Catholic Church, but for his enthusiasm for tennis. Known to be a fan and a regular player, the new pope entertained a light-hearted moment during a meeting with international media on Monday, when journalists suggested organising a charity tennis match.

In response to the idea, Pope Leo cracked a joke that left the room chuckling: "But we can't invite Sinner," he said-an apparent play on the surname of Jannik Sinner, the world's top-ranked men's tennis player, and the English meaning of the word "sinner."

The pope's quip added a touch of levity to the conversation, even though Sinner, an Italian himself,...