Patti Smith Shares Joyful Encounter With Pope Leo XIV in Chicago

WHO:

ABC News - Patti Smith, Pope Leo XIV, Rev. Antonio Spadaro

Vatican News - Patti Smith, Pope Leo XIV

WHAT:

ABC News - Patti Smith met with Pope Leo XIV during a private audience.

ABC News - The meeting lasted approximately 40 minutes.

ABC News - Smith described her encounter with the Pope as feeling like a conversation between old friends.

Vatican News - Smith performed a sound prayer at the inauguration of the Holy See's Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

WHERE:

ABC News - The meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

Vatican News - Smith and the Pope are both originally from Chicago, USA.

WHEN:

ABC News - The meeting occurred on July 31.

ABC News - Smith performed at the Venice Biennale on May 8, marking the anniversary of Leo's election.

ABC News - Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025.

Vatican News - Smith first met Pope Francis on April 10, 2013.

WHY:

ABC News - Smith has expressed admiration for Pope Francis and his values of love, humility, and compassion.

ABC News - Smith is not Catholic but is drawn to Pope Francis's sense of humanity.

HOW:

ABC News - Smith's friendship with Rev. Antonio Spadaro facilitated her increasing visibility at the Vatican.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 17:25 UTC)

Patti Smith met with Pope Leo XIV during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, where their conversation lasted approximately 40 minutes and felt like a reunion between old friends. Smith, who is originally from Chicago like the Pope, also performed a sound prayer at the inauguration of the Holy See's Pavilion at the Venice Biennale on May 8, marking the anniversary of Leo's election. Although not Catholic, Smith has expressed admiration for Pope Francis's values of love, humility, and compassion, and her friendship with Rev. Antonio Spadaro has helped her gain visibility at the Vatican.