Matteo Villardita, 28, dons the comic-book and movie super-hero outfit to cheer up hospitalized children, like those at the Vatican’s pediatric hospital which he planned to go to afterward Wednesday.
Sweating under his costume in Rome’s wave , Villardita said he asked Pope Francis to wish for the youngsters and their families.
The man told AP TV that he gave Francis a spare mask, “as a symbol , to inform him that through these eyes I daily see pain from sick children in hospitals.”
Villardita, with a costumed arm, reached out and touched Francis, who wore no mask against Covid-19, on the rear on an arm as he greeted the pontiff.
Said Villardita: “It was very exciting because Pope Francis immediately understood my mission.”
Villardita took selfies with youngsters attending the audience during a Vatican courtyard.
The Vatican described Villardita as "really an honest super-hero” and quoted him as saying that in Italy’s long months of pandemic lockdown he made quite 1,400 videocalls, since he wasn't ready to visit face to face , to assist ailing children smile.
