Legendary musician and poet Patti Smith has met with Pope Leo XIV during a 40-minute private audience at the Vatican. The punk icon was welcomed to the Apostolic Palace on July 31, 2026, with the Vatican later sharing photographs and footage of the meeting on social media.
Smith was accompanied by her longtime friend Reverend Antonio Spadaro, who serves as the Vatican's Undersecretary for Culture and Education. He noted that while Smith was initially almost speechless in the presence of the Pope, the two quickly established a genuine rapport.
When that door opened, something happened… a spark was lit—one that came with a few lighthearted moments, but also with a profound sense of emotion and of a shared mission in this challenging world.
Two Americans. Two Chicagoans. Two remarkable figures whose voices speak hope to… pic.twitter.com/Ol9bOjr1dQ— Antonio Spadaro (@antoniospadaro) July 31, 2026
Spadaro described the encounter as a conversation between two people discovering they were old friends, weaving together memories, dreams, and visions for the future. Smith also shared an image from the meeting on her Instagram, describing it as "a moment that shall forever produce a smile."
Although Smith is not a Catholic, she has long expressed an appreciation for the papacy. She previously performed at the Vatican's Christmas concert in 2014, a booking that drew criticism from some conservative groups due to the lyrics of her classic track 'Gloria'. Smith has remained active in her creative pursuits, recently releasing her memoir Bread Of Angels and preparing for a series of upcoming performances, including an appearance at the CBGB Festival in Brooklyn and the London Literature Festival.