Patti Smith Shares Warm 40-Minute Conversation with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Rock icon Patti Smith experienced a moment of joyful awe during her private meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Friday at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace in Rome. As she sat down across from the pope, Smith greeted him softly with a simple “Hi,” setting a tone of warmth and familiarity for their encounter. The meeting lasted approximately 40 minutes and was marked by a deep exchange of memories, music, and shared hopes, according to Father Antonio Spadaro, the Vatican’s culture ministry undersecretary who accompanied Smith.

Smith, known for her signature braided hair and crucifix necklace, has become a notable figure within Vatican cultural circles, largely through her friendship with Spadaro. Though not Catholic herself, Smith has expressed a strong admiration for Pope Francis, highlighting his gentle, open, and steadfast humanity as a source of inspiration.

The meeting also resonated with Smith’s longstanding spiritual interests. She referenced her 1979 song “Wave,” which imagines a conversation with Pope John Paul I, who died after a brief 33-day papacy. The song begins with the words “Hi. Hi,” spoken in the same breathy voice Smith used when greeting Pope Leo XIV. The pope recognized the reference and praised the tune as marvelous.

Earlier this year, Smith performed at the inauguration of the Holy See’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale contemporary art fair, an event that coincided with the anniversary of Pope Leo’s election on May 8. This performance further cemented her growing presence in Vatican cultural events.

Father Spadaro described the meeting as feeling like a reunion between old friends, two Chicago natives sharing memories woven from words, music, dreams, and visions. He noted that the conversation bridged past and present, reflecting a shared mission in a challenging world.

Smith’s connection to the Vatican dates back to 2013 when she met Pope Francis shortly after his election. She performed for him in 2014 and publicly mourned his death in April 2025, writing a poem that compared him to a dandelion—humble yet strong. She expressed that nature, poetry, and those who suffer would deeply miss his presence.

This meeting with Pope Leo XIV was the pontiff’s second encounter with a music legend in the same week; earlier, he attended a concert in his honor by tenor Andrea Bocelli. Smith’s visit highlights her unique role as a bridge between rock music and the Vatican’s cultural and spiritual life, embodying a dialogue between art and faith.