Ronan Keating headbutted Pope Benedict XVI

THE 37-year-old singer confessed on radio this morning, describing the 2011 incident as ‘one of those awkward moments that I’ll never forget’.

Ronan Keating

RONAN Keating once headbutted the Pope. Yep, you read that right.

The 37-year-old singer confessed to 2Day FM’s Dan and Maz this morning, describing the incident as “one of those awkward situations”.

It happened back in 2011 when Keating was waiting in line with other celebrities to meet Pope Benedict after a performance at the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI laughed off Ronan’s headbutt.

“I got told all these different protocols of what you’re supposed to do and I was so mixed up by the time that he (Pope Benedict) got to me that I had no idea what you were supposed to do.”

The X Factor judge told the radio hosts that he couldn’t remember if he had to “kiss the Papal ring” or “kiss his hand,” so in the end he decided to improvise.

“I got so confused that I just thought, ‘Oh I’ll just headbutt his hand,’” said Keating.

“He kind of just looked at me and moved onto the next person.”

Awkward.

Dan and Maz are the hosts of the new 2Day FM breakfast show.