Pope Playfully Spars with ‘Rocky’ Actor Stallone at Vatican

This photo taken and handout on September 8, 2023 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (L) meeting with US actor Sylvester Stallone during a private audience in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
This photo taken and handout on September 8, 2023 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (L) meeting with US actor Sylvester Stallone during a private audience in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
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Pope Playfully Spars with ‘Rocky’ Actor Stallone at Vatican

This photo taken and handout on September 8, 2023 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (L) meeting with US actor Sylvester Stallone during a private audience in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
This photo taken and handout on September 8, 2023 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (L) meeting with US actor Sylvester Stallone during a private audience in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)

Pope Francis playfully pretended to box with Sylvester Stallone during a meeting with the "Rocky" star at the Vatican on Friday.

Introduced to Stallone and his family, the Pope said how much he enjoyed the actor's films, prompting a smiling Stallone to clench his fists as if ready to spar, saying, "Ready, we box."

The 86-year-old Francis, who was walking with the aid of a stick, jabbed his left fist in response, prompting applause from the actor.

Stallone, who is 77 and has Italian origins, made his name with the series of films that trace the fortunes of fictional fighter Rocky Balboa.



No. 1 Tennis Player Jannik Sinner Featured on Andrea Bocelli's New Single

Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the men's singles tennis match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublikin at the Halle Open ATP tennis tournament in Halle, on June 19, 2025. (Photo by CARMEN JASPERSEN / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the men's singles tennis match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublikin at the Halle Open ATP tennis tournament in Halle, on June 19, 2025. (Photo by CARMEN JASPERSEN / AFP)
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No. 1 Tennis Player Jannik Sinner Featured on Andrea Bocelli's New Single

Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the men's singles tennis match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublikin at the Halle Open ATP tennis tournament in Halle, on June 19, 2025. (Photo by CARMEN JASPERSEN / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the men's singles tennis match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublikin at the Halle Open ATP tennis tournament in Halle, on June 19, 2025. (Photo by CARMEN JASPERSEN / AFP)

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner is featured on Andrea Bocelli’s new single, “Dust and Glory” that was released Friday.

The song, which blends Italian and English, mixes Bocelli’s vocals with spoken verses from Sinner, The Associated Press reported.

It’s a tribute to the struggle and beauty of life’s journey, and “the fine line that turns dust into glory.”

There’s also an accompanying four-minute music video featuring private footage from the childhoods of both Italian stars, with current scenes filmed at Bocelli’s home in Tuscany.

“Talent doesn’t exist; it has to be earned,” Sinner says in the recording.

“Sharing this journey with Jannik was fascinating," Bocelli said. "We’re from different worlds but close in commitment and discipline in the constant search for authenticity and beauty. I have always been his fan, fascinated not only by his talent, but also by his humility and his inner strength.”

Sinner added: “I am very honored and happy to be part of this project with Andrea, who for 30 years has been a unique and extraordinary voice, a flag of our country in the world. I could never have imagined hearing my voice in one of his songs, all this is a strong emotion.”