Patti Smith met Pope Leo XIV in a private audience at the Vatican on July 31, according to NME. The meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace and lasted around 40 minutes.
The Vatican later posted photos and video of the encounter on social media. Smith was accompanied by her longtime friend Reverend Antonio Spadaro, the Vatican’s Undersecretary for Culture and Education.
Spadaro said Smith was at first nearly speechless in the Pope’s presence, but the conversation soon became warm and familiar. He described it on X as a moment when “a spark was lit,” adding that the two shared a sense of emotion and a common mission.
Smith also shared her own photo from the meeting on Instagram, writing, “A moment that shall forever produce a smile.” NME notes that Smith is not Catholic, but she has spoken often about her appreciation for Pope Francis, whom she performed for at the Vatican in 2014.
