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.