FIP President Luigi Carraro and Paquito Navarro received by Pope Leo XIV during the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel
June 3, 2026
FIP President Luigi Carraro presented Pope Leo XIV with the official Padel racket
of the 2026 Italy Major, symbolising the values of friendship, respect and fraternity
that lie at the heart of the sport and its global community.
VATICAN CITY – International Padel Federation (FIP) President Luigi Carraro and Spanish star Paquito Navarro were received today by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel, currently being held at the Foro Italico in Rome.
The audience was organised together with Athletica Vaticana, the Holy See’s official multi-sport association, which has maintained a formal relationship with FIP since 2022. During the meeting, Carraro presented the Pontiff with a commemorative racket from the Rome Major, a symbol of a sport that has experienced extraordinary growth in recent years and today brings together millions of people around the world through participation, inclusion and shared experience.
The meeting carries particular significance following Pope Leo XIV’s recent message dedicated to sport as part of his prayer intention for the month of June. In a reflection released through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network as part of the “Pray with the Pope” initiative, the Pontiff highlighted the social and educational value of sport.
“May sport always be a school of fraternity and not sterile rivalry, a place of encounter and not exclusion, a path to peace and not violence,” Pope Leo XIV said. He also expressed gratitude “for those who glorify God through physical exercise, for the friendships born on the field of play and for the joy of being part of a team.”
These principles closely reflect the values that have helped make Padel one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Built on teamwork, respect and human connection, Padel has become a global phenomenon capable of bringing together people of different cultures, languages and backgrounds through a shared passion.
“It was a great honour to meet His Holiness and present him with a commemorative racket from the Rome Major, a symbol of a sport that promotes friendship, respect and inclusion,” said FIP President Luigi Carraro. “The words of Pope Leo XIV are an important message for the entire sporting community and reflect values that are present on Padel courts around the world every day. Fair play, social interaction, respect for others and the opportunity to share experiences across cultures and generations are principles that define our sport and are evident at the Rome Major, as they are at every event organised and promoted by FIP.”
In this spirit, the racket presented by President Carraro was intended not merely as an institutional gift, but as a symbol of a sport whose inclusive and community-driven nature reflects the message shared by Pope Leo XIV.
The presence of Paquito Navarro, one of the sport’s most recognisable and respected players and a fan favourite at the Rome Major, further underscored the positive role athletes can play as ambassadors of integrity, commitment and mutual respect.
The audience, which was also attended by Premier Padel Deputy CEO David Serrahima and Bullpadel CEO Alfredo Peñalver, represented a meaningful moment for the international Padel community, which continues to grow across every continent while promoting the values of inclusion, friendship and dialogue that make sport a truly universal language.
