NEWS
NEWS

Pope Francis opened the Holy See to "celebrities," athletes, and climate activists

Updated

Over the years, Pope Francis has welcomed multiple international celebrities to the Holy See. Some of these encounters have left memorable moments

Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona, left, greets Pope Francis.
Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona, left, greets Pope Francis.AP

Among laughter and handshakes, actor Sylvester Stallone introduced his wife and daughters to the Pope in 2023.

Like him, many celebrities have been received by Francis, who will also be remembered for opening the doors of the Vatican not only to politicians but to many personalities from the world of culture and entertainment.

Such as Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio or film director Martin Scorsese in 2016. Also from the world of soccer like Messi.

For history, the embrace with fellow Argentine Diego Armando Maradona in 2015 or with Ronaldinho, with whom he joked about who was better, Pelé or Maradona.

We have seen him with Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, with British physicist Stephen Hawking, to whom he showed great affection.

And even with climate activist Greta Thunberg, whom he specifically asked to continue working for the health of the planet.