Cardinal's secret gym life: Trainer discovers future pope
Cardinal Robert Prevost's personal trainer discovered his true identity only after the conclave. Valerio Masella, who had trained him for two years, was taken aback when he saw him on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
What do you need to know?
- Who is Valerio Masella? He is the personal trainer of Cardinal Robert Prevost, who remained unaware of his client's true identity for two years.
- What were the cardinal's workouts like? Prevost regularly exercised at the gym and maintained excellent physical condition, as confirmed by his trainer.
- When was the cardinal's identity discovered? Masella recognized Prevost only after his appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica following the conclave.
What did Cardinal Prevost's workouts look like?
Valerio Masella, a trainer at a gym near the Vatican, trained Cardinal Robert Prevost for two years without knowing his true identity. "He trained with me for two years. I recognized him when he stood on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica," Masella said in an interview with "Il Messaggero." As the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost regularly visited the gym, working out on machines and strengthening his muscles.
Why didn't the trainer know Prevost's identity?
Masella admitted that Prevost was always polite and reserved, which made it challenging to learn his true identity. "He was very reserved, although always extraordinarily polite and smiling," recalls the trainer.
Prevost, despite his intense work, never seemed stressed, and his physical condition was impressive.
What were the trainer's reactions after discovering the truth?
After the conclave, when Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, Masella was surprised. "When he was elected, I immediately recognized him while watching TV. I couldn't believe it. I had trained the future Pope," the trainer recounts. For Masella, Prevost was just a regular client, making the discovery of his true identity all the more extraordinary.
