Tag: Vatican

Captains Zach Johnson, Luke Donald meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, give him a replica Ryder Cup

“It was a very memorable experience and the honor wasn’t lost on us,” said Johnson.

Being a Ryder Cup captain has its perks and benefits, especially when Italy is the host nation of the biennial bash.

As the Americans and Europeans prepare to square off at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, September 29 – October 1, 2023, U.S. captain Zach Johnson and European captain Luke Donald took part in the Ryder Cup Year to Go Celebrations that included a visit to the Colosseum, hitting shots at the Temple of Venus and Roma, a gala dinner at the exclusive Palazzo Colonna, and oh yeah, they met the pope.

“It was a very memorable experience and the honor wasn’t lost on us,” said Johnson. “Clearly today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Pope Francis was beyond gracious, warm and welcoming. (Wife Kim) and I will never forget our Vatican morning.”

Donald and Johnson held a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and gifted him an inscribed replica Ryder Cup: “Presented to His Holiness The Pope By Ryder Cup Captains Luke Donald and Zach Johnson.” Among countless world-famous paintings and sculptures, the captains’ names will live on forever on the cup in the Vatican.

“As Ryder Cup Captain I am fortunate to be able to do many special things, but having a private audience with Pope Francis was certainly a memory that myself and (wife Diane) will always cherish,” added Donald.

The U.S. currently holds the Ryder Cup after its dominant 19-9 win at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2021. Italy will host for the first time next fall when the Americans will look to win for the first time on foreign soil since 1993 at The Belfry.

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The champion and the Pope: Deontay Wilder visits Francis

Deontay Wilder, a man in a violent profession, dropped by the Vatican Friday for a private audience with Pope Francis, a man of peace. A fighter meeting the Pope is a little bit like a conscientious objector meeting General George Patton. Let’s just …

Deontay Wilder, a man in a violent profession, dropped by the Vatican Friday for a private audience with Pope Francis, a man of peace.

A fighter meeting the Pope is a little bit like a conscientious objector meeting General George Patton. Let’s just say they are in very different businesses.

In an Instagram post, there’s a photo of His Holiness shaking Wilder’s lethal right hand.

No word on whether Wilder asked him to bless the hand and his chances in a rematch with Tyson Fury on Feb. 22. But he did sign a pair of gloves for Wilder, according to a TMZ report.

“What a honor it was to meet [Pope Francis] today,” Wilder wrote in his caption. “He’s truly a remarkable man that represents True Love, Happiness and World Peace for all human race.”

The Pope went on to name Wilder the Boxers’ Representative and Ambassador for Peace through Sport, according to a release from Premier Boxing Champions.

“This was an incredible honor and I’m very happy to have met with Pope Francis,’’ Wilder said in the release. “I want to thank him for meeting with me. I also want to thank the World Boxing Council for arranging the visit and thank the Italian Boxing Federation for hosting me as I visited with the people of Italy. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. It proves that I plan on being a true heavyweight champion of the world.’’

Peace isn’t exactly what Wilder has in mind for Fury. Then again, the Vatican wasn’t Wilder’s only stop in Rome. He also planned to visit the Colosseum, an ancient site sure to remind him of who he really is and what he really intends to do to Fury.