Far from home? Spider-Man drops in at the papal audience

Man behind the mask placed in VIP section for his work visiting sick children in hospitals

Last updated: June 23, 2021 | 15:10

2 MIN READ

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Vatican: A different type of participant dropped in on Pope Francis' general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday - Spider-Man.

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A man dressed in a full, skin-tight, red, black and blue costume of the comic book and film character - including head cover - sat in the VIP section of the audience in Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard.

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He sat quietly next to a priest dressed in black who appeared to be unperturbed by the colourful character with big white eyes in the next seat.

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Pope Francis goes to shake hand with the man wearing a Spider-Man costume.

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The man behind the mask turned out to be Mattia Villardita, 27, from northern Italy.

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He was given a place in the VIP section because of his work dressing up in superhero costumes and visiting sick children in hospitals.

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At the end of the audience, he was introduced to the pope and gave the pontiff a Spider-Man mask.

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Last year, Italian President Sergio Mattarella gave Villardita an award for his work with sick children.

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