In an event that most film critics are promptly dubbing 'Rocky X: Hail Mary,' Sylvester Stallone, actor and notorious on-screen boxer, unexpectedly found himself seeing stars after a friendly shadow boxing match with Pope Francis escalated, ending in his knockout.
The incident occurred as Stallone, renowned for his role as the gritty but endearing boxer, Rocky Balboa, took his family on a festive tour of the Vatican. Stallone's friendly 'sparring' session with the Pope unexpectedly took a serious turn when Pope Francis demonstrated his own formidable boxing prowess. 'It was like Ali versus Foreman,' said an astonished Cardinal Giovanni, who watched the unfolding spectacle from a safe distance.
Pope Francis, displaying an agility belying his 85 years, rendered Stallone casualties of the bout. 'The Pope started off with a jab, then came the uppercut, and Stallone was basically in orbit,' conveyed a bystander, Maria Vincenzi, who managed to film the incident on her phone camera.
The Vatican has since released an official statement, highlighting the friendly nature of the playful showdown. 'His Holiness was merely demonstrating the spiritual connection between body and soul. We stress that the events were unintentional and Stallone's pride was the only casualty,' read part of the Vatican statement.
However, the incident has already gained viral notoriety, with many social media users hilariously proposing the scenario for the next Rocky installment. 'Forget Francis Nganou, the Pope's the real deal. Rocky's next comeback? Rocky VIII: Hail Mary,' jests Californian screenwriter Jensen Dupont on a famous microblogging site.
As for Stallone, recovering from the shock defeat, he retains his sense of humor, suggesting on his Instagram, 'The Pope packs a punch, alright! Maybe it's time I hung up the gloves... or maybe, I've got a Round 2 in the Vatican!'
The film industry is alive with the potential for a new Rocky installment. Will we be seeing Stallone steer his white-collar character into a squared circle with Pope Francis in 'Rocky X: Hail Mary'
Based on: A ring and a prayer! Sylvester Stallone shadow boxes with the Pope as the Rocky star takes his family to meet the pontiff at the Vatican | Daily Mail Online