The Pope throws fake punch at Sylvester Stallone and says he’s a big fan

The Pope unleashed his inner Rocky Balboa after Sylvester Stallone and family paid him a visit this week.

The Rocky actor, 77, was seen meeting Pope Francis, 86, on Friday (September 8) as the head of the Catholic Church confessed his love for Stallone's films.

This was followed by a swift 'one-two' of the fists as the bishop of Rome threw a couple of fake punches at the actor.

Watch below:

Pope Francis meets with American actor Sylvester Stallone and his family at a private audience in the Vatican. pic.twitter.com/f9tLUScwfj

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) September 8, 2023

A video shared by Vatican News shows a thrilled Stallone shaking hands with an equally as thrilled Pope Francis.

"Well, thank you very much for taking time from your busy day," Stallone said as he met the Pope alongside his wife, Jennifer Flavin, daughters Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet Stallone, and his brother Frank Stallone.

"We appreciate this very much."

"I am honored," the Pope replied.

"Well, I'm honored, too," Stallone - who was slightly taken aback - said.

"We grew up with your films," the Pope added, via a translator, to which the Balboa actor responded: "Ready? We box."

Clearly joking, the Pope hit back with a couple of light air jabs as the pair were having fun in the moment.

After their brief convo, the group all took a photo together.

Commenting on the exchange on social media, one person called it 'awesome', while another said that it was 'lovely to watch'.

"This made me smile just now," a third penned.

As a fourth also tweeted: "My idol met my Catholic grandmother's idol."

"Sylvester Stallone's family and the Pope. There's something very heartwarming about this exchange. Note the Rosaries in one of his daughter's hands," someone else added.

Despite being nearly 80-years-old, Stallone is still going strong and will star in the upcoming The Expendables 4.

“Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table,” a synopsis for the film reads.

“But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give ‘new blood’ a whole new meaning.”

Starring alongside Stallone, will be Jason Statham, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture and 50 Cent, who was not happy with how he looked in the movie poster.

Taking to Instagram, the 48-year-old shared a screenshot of the poster, alongside the caption: "WTF did we run out of money? Why my head look like it ain’t connected to my body.

"I bet they are gonna make @officialslystallone look great. SMH #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi."

The Expendables 4 will be released in cinemas on 22 September.