Man Wearing Spider-Man Costume Meets Pope Francis
2021-06-25
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1When Pope Francis meets with followers on Wednesdays, he is usually the most notable person at the gathering.
2However, on a recent Wednesday, the Roman Catholic leader played second to another man.
3That man, Matteo Villardita, was made up to look like the famous Marvel Comic Book creation, Spider-Man.
4He came to the public gathering to speak to the pope.
5The 28-year-old Villardita appears as Spider-Man to cheer the sick children he visits in hospitals.
6He said he was going to see children later that Wednesday at Vatican City's hospital for children.
7Villardita spoke with Pope Francis, asking him to pray for the sick children and their families.
8He also gave the pope an extra Spider-Man mask.
9Wearing his costume, Villardita took photos with children in an open outdoor space inside the Roman Catholic Church headquarters.
10The Vatican called Villardita "a really good superhero" and noted his good work during the COVID-19 health crisis.
11Villardita reportedly made 1,400 video calls to children in hospitals over the last year while Italy was under COVID-19 restrictions.
12He said it was exciting to meet the pope who, in Villardita's words, "immediately understood my mission."
13I'm Caty Weaver.
1When Pope Francis meets with followers on Wednesdays, he is usually the most notable person at the gathering. 2However, on a recent Wednesday, the Roman Catholic leader played second to another man. That man, Matteo Villardita, was made up to look like the famous Marvel Comic Book creation, Spider-Man. 3He came to the public gathering to speak to the pope. 4The 28-year-old Villardita appears as Spider-Man to cheer the sick children he visits in hospitals. He said he was going to see children later that Wednesday at Vatican City's hospital for children. 5Villardita spoke with Pope Francis, asking him to pray for the sick children and their families. He also gave the pope an extra Spider-Man mask. 6Wearing his costume, Villardita took photos with children in an open outdoor space inside the Roman Catholic Church headquarters. 7The Vatican called Villardita "a really good superhero" and noted his good work during the COVID-19 health crisis. 8Villardita reportedly made 1,400 video calls to children in hospitals over the last year while Italy was under COVID-19 restrictions. He said it was exciting to meet the pope who, in Villardita's words, "immediately understood my mission." 9I'm Caty Weaver. 10Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on an Associated Press report. Caty Weaver was the editor. 11We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 12________________________________________________ 13Words in This Story 14costume -n. the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to look like a different person or thing 15mask -n. a covering used to hide or disguise your face 16mission -n. a task or job that someone is given to do