At the gym, the future Pope Leo XIV kept a high heart rate and a low profile

ROME (AP) — The Omega gym in Rome has long been frequented by residents of the up-market Prati district, as well as priests, nuns and monsignors from the nearby Vatican City. And also, to the delight of gym staff, the man who would become pope.

Robert Prevost came to the Vatican from Peru in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world. Cardinal Prevost broke a sweat at Omega for two years until, earlier this month, he was elected Pope Leo XIV.

“When the name of the pope was announced, my phone rings and my son tells me, ’Dad, it’s Robert! Robert, our member!’” Francesco Tamburlani, the owner of the gym, said in an interview. “I heard the gym staff behind him cheering. ... This moved us, filled us with joy.”

A typical workout for someone of Prevost’s age, 69, was a mere warm-up for the little-known American cardinal, according to Valerio Masella, his personal trainer. Although it is hard to define an age group for personalized programs, Prevost's plan was more befitting of men aged 50-55. Masella would train him two or three times a week in sessions lasting up to an hour.

So, how much does the pope bench? Masella can’t speak to his papal power, since Prevost was focused on posture and cardiovascular capacity. He ran on his favorite treadmill that faces a mural featuring famous local landmarks, among them St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

“We would start off slow and then go pretty strong, I must say. Especially a lot of resistance on the exercise bike, a very strong climb,” Masella said.

Throughout their two-year training, Masella never knew Prevost was a cardinal, nor did he hear him utter a discouraging word.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him make a comment about anything that wasn’t positive. He was always positive about everything -- the weather, the city, the people, also for me, he said he liked the gym.”

A Vatican spokesperson didn't reply when asked for comment.

A sporting pope isn’t new. Pope John Paul II, who was elected at the age of 58, was an avid skier and mountain trekker.

Chicago-born Prevost’s game is tennis. On May 15, he met top-ranked player Jannik Sinner, who gave him a racket and offered to play during an off day at the Italian Open. Leo had said earlier in the week that he would be up for a charity match when it was suggested by a journalist.

After Prevost took over the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, he said in an interview with the Augustinian Order that his new job had left him little free time to practice his game. While the Mediterranean climate makes tennis possible year-round, the papacy will likely leave him even fewer chances to step onto a court.

Tamburlani, the Omega owner, says the Holy Father is welcome back any time he wants to squeeze in a workout. After all, his membership's still active.

“This would make us so happy,” he said. “We would organize our gym to guarantee his safety and his privacy. We would just need a sign.”

Personal trainer Valerio Masella, 26, who trained Robert Francis Prevost before the cardinal became Pope Leo XIV, works at his gym near the Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

FILE - Pope John Paul II, left, joins other skiers in making the sign of the cross during his skiing vacation near this Northern Italian town, July 17, 1984. (AP Photo, File)

Personal trainer Valerio Masella, 26, who trained Robert Francis Prevost before the cardinal became Pope Leo XIV, helps his colleague Giorgio Vaccarella in his gym near the Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Italy's Jannik Sinner, left, shares a light moment with Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of their meeting at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

Italy's Jannik Sinner, left, shares a light moment with Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of their meeting at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

Personal trainer Valerio Masella, 26, who trained Robert Francis Prevost before the cardinal became Pope Leo XIV, shares a word with Vincenzo pagano, a gym user at his gym near the Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Personal trainer Valerio Masella, 26, who trained Robert Francis Prevost before the cardinal became Pope Leo XIV, poses at his gym near the Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Personal trainer Valerio Masella, 26, who trained Robert Francis Prevost before the cardinal became Pope Leo XIV, poses at his gym near the Vatican, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” has made a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jethi Software Development PLC (“Jethi”), an Ethiopian technology company, to cooperate on addressing social and development challenges through the utilization of satellite-based Earth observation (EO) data.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114413353/en/

The MoU was signed by Naol Debele, Chief Executive Officer of Jethi, and Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace. The signing ceremony, held in Ethiopia on January 13 (local time), was attended by representatives of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) of Ethiopia, members of the Jethi Board of Directors and invited guests, in an official and protocol capacity.

Axelspace positions the expansion of EO data utilization in emerging markets, including Africa, as a key medium- to long-term strategic priority. Through this collaboration, Axelspace aims to support locally driven, data-informed solutions.

Under the MoU, Axelspace will provide EO data and know-how for its utilization across priority sectors, including agriculture, environmental and forest conservation, disaster risk management and climate resilience, urban planning and infrastructure development. Jethi will lead the establishment of a local framework for EO data utilization in Ethiopia, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to integrate satellite data with local information and institutional requirements. The partnership aims to identify priority challenges, develop scalable solutions that combine EO data with local information, and foster the growth of a sustainable ecosystem for satellite data utilization in Ethiopia.

Axelspace is participating in the “Emerging Countries Working Group”, which was launched in 2024 by Cross U, a general incorporated association, to promote space business co-creation between Japan and African countries.

“With the economic development of emerging countries, including those in Africa, the demand for satellite data utilization is expected to increase significantly,” said Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace. “We will work to build win-win relationships that create new value with local public and private sector partners, leveraging Japan’s advanced technological capabilities and expertise to contribute to the long-term development of a platform for satellite data utilization.”

For the full press release, please visit: https://www.axelspace.com/news/mou_ethiopia/

Naol Debele, Chief Executive Officer of Jethi (left), and Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace, at the signing ceremony on January 13 in Ethiopia