Pope Leo XIV’s Coach Shock: Client is New Pontiff
Pope’s Fitness Routine Revealed: Vatican Gym Regular Before Ascension
ROME (AP) — Before assuming the papacy as Leo XIV,Robert Prevost was a familiar face at a gym near the Vatican,his personal trainer revealed.Valerio Masella, 26, said he had been working wiht Prevost as 2023, unaware that his client was a high-ranking cardinal.
Prevost’s dedication to fitness surprised Masella and other gym members when he was chosen as the new pope. Pope francis had previously summoned Prevost to Rome to led the Dicastery for Bishops.
“He was committed,” Masella told Il Messaggero, noting that Prevost trained two or three times a week, depending on his schedule. Masella described the pontiff as being in excellent physical condition, attributing it to a lifelong commitment to sports.The training regimen included warm-ups and aerobic exercises, followed by activities to strengthen muscles and improve posture. Despite spending long hours at a desk, Prevost showed no signs of stress, Masella said. “I never found a stressed man, on the contrary.”
Conversations during training sessions were limited, as Prevost was reserved but always polite and smiling. He mentioned having played many sports in his youth and having a passion for various disciplines.
masella said he assumed Prevost was a teacher or academic, someone who spent hours sitting at a desk, although his physical parameters were very good. Seeing his client on television as the new pope was a shock.
“Basically,I trained the future Pontiff,” Masella said. “It’s amazing, but for me, he was a client like any other and behaved like all users of this gym.”
Known simply as Robert at the gym, Leo XIV dressed casually and gave no indication of his true identity. Masella recalled that he was always courteous and never showed signs of nervousness or irritation.
Prevost was interested in Masella’s career as a personal trainer but quickly focused on training, suggesting he did not have much time.
“He was certainly reserved, and I always thanked him. He also said that he felt good in our gym, that he liked the city and the climate of Rome,” Masella recalled.
Masella added that other cardinals or bishops might frequent the gym, although he was unsure of their identities. ”I’ve seen someone with a ring, and they have explained the meaning of the Episcopal ring or cardinal. But I can’t say more,” he said.
The story of how Pope Leo XIV maintained his anonymity while exercising in a public gym adds a human dimension to his figure,showing that even those in the highest positions can lead surprisingly normal lives.
Pope Leo XIV’s fitness: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Introduction: The Secret of a pope’s Physique
This article delves into the unexpected story of Pope Leo XIV’s fitness routine, as revealed by his personal trainer. It’s a unique glimpse into the life of a pontiff, showing a surprisingly human side.
Q&A: Unveiling the Pope’s Workout Secrets
Q: Who was Pope Leo XIV before becoming Pope?
A: Before ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV was known as Robert Prevost.
Q: Where did Robert Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) work out?
A: Robert Prevost,prior to becoming Pope,frequented a gym located near the Vatican.
Q: Who was Pope Leo XIV’s personal trainer?
A: Pope Leo XIV’s personal trainer was Valerio Masella,a 26-year-old at the time of the revealed training sessions.
Q: When did Robert Prevost and Valerio Masella start training together?
A: They began training together in 2023.
Q: What was the trainer’s initial impression of Robert Prevost’s background?
A: Masella initially assumed Prevost was a teacher or academic, someone who spent long hours at a desk, primarily based on his profession.
Q: Did robert prevost reveal his true identity to his trainer?
A: No, Robert Prevost did not reveal his true identity (as a high-ranking cardinal) to Masella during their training sessions. He was known simply as “Robert” at the gym.
Q: How often did Pope Leo XIV work out?
A: Pope Leo XIV trained two to three times a week, depending on his schedule.
Q: What did his workout regimen include?
A: the training regimen included warm-ups and aerobic exercises, followed by activities to strengthen muscles and improve posture.
Q: Did Pope Leo XIV show signs of stress during his training sessions?
A: No, despite spending many hours at a desk, Prevost showed no signs of stress, according to Masella.He described Prevost as “never stressed”.
Q: What was Pope Leo XIV’s demeanor during training sessions?
A: Pope Leo XIV was described as reserved but always polite and smiling during their training sessions.
Q: What sports did Pope Leo XIV mention playing in his youth?
A: Pope Leo XIV mentioned he played many sports in his youth and had a passion for various disciplines.
Q: How did Masella react when he saw his client on television as the new Pope?
A: Masella was “shocked” to see his client on television as the new Pope.
Q: Did Pope Leo XIV and Masella have detailed conversations during their training?
A: Conversations were limited, but Pope Leo XIV always thanked Masella for his work. He also said he felt good in the gym and liked the city and climate of Rome.
Q: Did Pope Leo XIV dress in a specific way at the gym?
A: He dressed “casually.”