Patti Smith meets Pope Leo XIV in a heartfelt Vatican audience

During a private audience at the Apostolic Palace, rock pioneer Patti Smith met Pope Leo XIV, greeting him softly before taking a seat across his desk. Smith arrived adorned with a crucifix necklace and her trademark braids, reflecting her growing presence at the Vatican through her connection with Rev. Antonio Spadaro, an undersecretary of the Vatican’s culture ministry. Spadaro described the meeting as a reunion of two Chicago natives, recalling shared memories of music, poetry, and aspirations.

Although not Catholic, Smith has previously performed for Pope Francis, sang for him in 2014, and honored the Holy See at the Venice Biennale’s pavilion opening. She recently paid tribute to the late Pope Francis on social media after his death in April 2025. The audience came shortly after Pope Leo XIV attended a concert dedicated to him by tenor Andrea Bocelli.