When trainer Valerio Masella turned on the TV in May, he saw the new pope on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. And he immediately recognized the man whose pulse he had been taking for two whole years after sets of push-ups.
A quiet client labeled “professor”
A private fitness center a short walk from the Vatican welcomed a new member in spring 2023. At reception, he signed up simply as Robert P. Twice—sometimes three times—a week he would come in early in the morning, spoke Italian and English with ease, and always asked for the treadmill by the window. Masella recalls that he pegged him as “an academic,” because his client liked to discuss the philosophy of movement but never talked about his job.
Who exactly is Robert Francis Prevost?
Born in Chicago (1955), he joined the Augustinians, spent most of his priestly ministry in the Peruvian Amazon, and later led the entire order for twelve years. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential posts in the Roman Curia.
In May 2025, the cardinals elected Prevost in conclave as the first pope to come from the United States. He chose the name Leo XIV, and in his first address he underscored the need for “an open Church with a strong heart and strong lungs.”
The future pontiff’s training protocol
- Warm-up (30 min) – brisk walking or an easy treadmill run, or a stationary bike; the goal was to keep his heart rate around 120 bpm.
- Strength (25 min) – exercises with lighter dumbbells (up to 10 kg), TRX for the midsection, and bodyweight work.
- Mobility & core (10 min) – stretching, planks, posture exercises; important for someone who often sits at a desk.
Masella emphasizes that the 69-year-old cardinal never skipped the final stretching, which he regarded as “a commitment to his future self.”
Why do senior prelates stay active?
Fitness is not a rarity in the Curia. John Paul II skied regularly, and Pope Benedict XVI took long Alpine walks; both examples show that good physical condition helps people cope with work stress and lengthy liturgical services. Cardinal Prevost follows in that tradition—already as Archbishop of Chiclayo, he organized charity runs to support local schools.
The psychology of discipline
Sports psychologists note that people in leadership positions often opt for modest but consistent exercise: short blocks a few times a week support neuroplasticity and improve decision-making. Prevost’s routine—more a “marathon” in patience than a strength show—aligns with findings from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on the benefits of moderate aerobic activity after age 60.
Reactions in the Vatican
When word spread after the election that the new pope had spent months quietly working the treadmill in a gym behind a sheer curtain, members of the Swiss Guard responded with a smile: “At least we’ll be able to keep up if he ever decides to run up the steps to the dome,” one of them joked.
According to Italian journalists, after Masella’s revelation the gym quickly filled up with new clients—apparently everyone wants “the workout the pope did.” The gym is already planning a charity “Leo XIV Challenge”; proceeds will go to Peruvian projects the pontiff supported back when he was a missionary.
Video to watch
Vatican News radio published a short clip of the moment Cardinal Prevost introduced himself to the world as Pope Leo XIV—watch it here:
Summary
The story of the “unknown professor” who quietly lifted weights so that one day he could take the helm of the whole Church is a reminder that persistence in small things can prepare us for the biggest tasks. And that even a 69-year-old man in a stole and zucchetto can have a strong core and a clear aim: to be a shepherd who breathes with his people—quite literally.
Sources used
- Associated Press: “Pope taps Chicago native in Peru to lead bishops’ office” (February 2, 2023). AP News
- Catholic News Agency: “14 things to know about Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pope” (May 9, 2025). Catholic News Agency
- Catholic News Agency – profile of Cardinal Prevost and missionary activities in Peru (tag archive). Catholic News Agency
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Physical Activity and Aging factsheet (2024). Catholic News Agency
Robert
I’m interested in technology and history, especially true crime stories. For three years I ran a fact-based portal about modern history, and for a year I co-built a blogging platform where I published dozens of analytical articles. I founded offpitch so that quality content wouldn’t be hidden behind a paywall.
