When Spiderman met the Pope

How did Spider-Man get to meet the Pope and hand him a mask?

Our superhero APM Terminals colleague Mattia Villardita met Pope Francis this week. When Mattia isn’t contributing to the smooth running of APM Terminals Vado Ligure in Italy, he’s paying young hospital patients uplifting visits as Spiderman. 🕷 

“The idea to dress up as Spiderman and engage in goodwill work came from my desire to personally do some good and show gratitude for the help I received when I was a patient myself,” shares Mattia.

Having to undergo multiple surgeries on one leg until the age of 20, Mattia spent countless hours and days in hospitals, an experience that profoundly changed his life. During the pandemic, Mattia helped small patients, who are already very isolated by connecting virtually.

On meeting Pope Francis, Mattia shared, “It was a touching encounter. I gave the Holy Father a Spiderman mask that I no longer use, telling him that through the mask I see daily suffering from the little ones and their families and to pray for them. He shook my hand and thanked me for my volunteer work and asked me to go and take pictures with the children and the thankful there who cheered me.”