Religion

Francis greets man clad as Spiderman at Vatican

Vatican City, Jun 23 (EFE).- Pope Francis on Wednesday greeted a man dressed in a Spiderman costume during the Pontiff’s weekly General Audience in the San Damaso courtyard.

The 28-year-old Mattia Villardita, who handed his mask to the pope, is the founder of an association of volunteers who dress up like comic superheroes to cheer the children in hospitals, according to the Vatican News.

The Italian, who first put on superhero costumes four years ago, was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic last year by president Sergio Mattarella for his efforts aimed at easing the suffering of children.

Upon the initiative of the Inspectorate of Vatican Public Security, he is set to visit the pediatric ward of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome with the musical band of the Italian State later on Wednesday. EFE

mol/ta/jt

Related Articles

Back to top button