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Dennis Rodman plans to meet the new pope

After bringing "basketball diplomacy" to North Korea, the former NBA star has set his sights on the Vatican

Topics: dennis rodman, pope, Vatican, North Korea, World Peace, NBA,

Dennis Rodman plans to meet the new pope (Credit: AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Only a few weeks after his questionable attempt to spread world peace via bringing “basketball diplomacy” to North Korea, eccentric 90s-era basketball star Dennis Rodman has announced an ambitious follow-up: an audience with the new pope. Rodman, who came back to the U.S. singing praises of one of the most reviled men on Earth, Kim Jong Un, told TMZ, “I want to be anywhere in the world that I’m needed … I want to spread a message of peace and love throughout the world.”

Rodman is on his way to Rome and lands tonight, and says his “people” are in touch with contacts at the Vatican. But assuming that the Vatican is, indeed, interested in entertaining Rodman (a source told TMZ that it’s not), logistics are going to be Rodman’s first hurdle: The papal conclave just started its voting process, making tonight the earliest the new pope could elected be elected–though due to the lengthy process and voting requirements, even that’s unlikely.

 

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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