The new pope, who was born in Chicago, said that tennis is his favorite sport. Pope Leo XIV, born and raised in Chicago, has captured global attention for two reasons: his historic role as the first American-born pontiff and his unexpected sports fandom.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.

Leo, who was elected last week to succeed the late Pope Francis, has made repeated calls for peace in the early days of his papacy. His first words to crowds in St Peter's Square were "Peace be with all you".