World

Spider-Man Paid A Visit To The Vatican And Gifted The Pope His Own Special Mask

Mattia Villardita is actually an everyday superhero making a difference in the world.

by Ade Onibada

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Posted on June 23, 2021, 4:18 pm

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Wednesday was just another normal day at the Vatican for the head of the Catholic Church, with the exception of a superhero guest swinging into town. { "id": 127299189 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images No, it's not a scene from a Marvel movie (I don't think even Disney has the budget for a papal cameo). Instead, this was the scene in Vatican City as a man dressed as Spider-Man made an appearance and got to meet Pope Francis. { "id": 127299348 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images The 84-year-old pontiff was gifted with his very own Spider-Man mask by Mattia Villardita, the man under the costume who has spent the past three years dressing as a superhero to visit Italy’s sick children in hospitals, according to Reuters. { "id": 127299993 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images Villardita, 27, had to sit among VIP attendees for the pope’s general audience dressed in full superhero attire and completely blended in. { "id": 127299363 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images Do you ever wonder what Spider-Man's favorite hymn might be? { "id": 127299798 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images Don't act all shy now, Spidey. You showed up to the Vatican in a bodysuit. { "id": 127299904 } Franco Origlia / Getty Images { "id": 127299072 }

After his encounter with the Pope, Villardita told Catholic News Agency that the experience made him “very happy” as a Catholic and shared that the pope had told him to “take a lot of selfies with the kids in the square.”

Villardita was honored by Italian President Sergio Mattarella in December for his work as an everyday hero. { "id": "127299073" } View this photo on Instagram Instagram: @mattiavillardita { "id": 127299072 }

Villardita shared that he felt an urge to be a symbol of hope for young people in hospitals and so he began dressing like his childhood hero.

“When you’re in a hospital, you see the world through a different lens and appreciate small things in life," he told local news. "Many people don’t realize how lucky they really are. So I felt this inner urge to do something, a mission almost."

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  Ade Onibada is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.

  Contact Ade Onibada at [email protected].

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