# Patti Smith Vatican engagements > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/patti-smith-vatican-engagements > Updated: 2026-08-02T06:23:08.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 3. In early July 2026 Patti Smith said the Pope was among her favorite voices. Later that month she met Pope Leo XIV in a private 40‑minute audience at the Apostolic Palace, accompanied by Vatican under‑secretary Antonio Spadaro, who posted video of the encounter on X. Spadaro described the meeting as feeling like a conversation between two old friends and, in a later statement, called the two “remarkable personalities whose voices speak about hope in a divided world.” Both Smith and the Pope are Chicago natives; the Pope asked whether she spoke Italian, and she replied she only speaks English. On 31 July 2026 the audience, arranged by Rev. Antonio Spadaro, lasted about 40 minutes and was portrayed as a reunion of old friends, touching on music, literature, dreams and hopes for a divided world. The Vatican released footage emphasizing the shared focus on peace and culture, underscoring the ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and prominent artists. Smith, who is not Catholic, has a long‑standing cultural dialogue with the Holy See, including a 2013 audience with Pope Francis, a 2014 Christmas concert for him, and a “Sonic Prayer” performance at the 61st Venice Biennale in May 2026. After Pope Francis’s death in April 2025 she posted a poem likening him to a dandelion. The July audience reinforced her role as a bridge between punk music and the Catholic Church. ## Claims - Both Patti Smith and Pope Leo XIV are natives of Chicago, United States. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Father Antonio Spadaro accompanied Patti Smith to the audience. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Pope Leo XIV met with Patti Smith at the Vatican on July 31, 2026. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Patti Smith met Pope Francis in April 2013 and performed for him in 2014. (corroborated by 11 sources) - After Pope Francis’s death in April 2025, Patti Smith posted a poem comparing him to a dandelion. (corroborated by 10 sources) - During the audience, Pope Leo asked Patti Smith if she spoke Italian; she replied she only spoke English. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The audience lasted about 40 minutes. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Patti Smith performed at the inauguration of the Holy See’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale on May 8, 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Patti Smith met Pope Leo XIV in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on July 31, 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Pope Leo XIV asked Patti Smith if she spoke Italian during the audience. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Patti Smith performed a “Sonic Prayer” at the Holy See’s Pavilion inauguration at the Venice Biennale on May 8, 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Smith publicly supports legal abortion and LGBT rights, criticizing the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Patti Smith meets Pope Leo XIV in private Vatican audience Patti Smith met Pope Leo XIV in a 40‑minute private audience at the Vatican on 31 July, a reunion of two Chicago‑born figures discussed by Vatican under‑secretary Antonio Spadaro. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patti-smith-meets-pope-leo-xiv-at-vatican ### 2026-07-31: Patti Smith meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican audience Patti Smith met Pope Leo XIV in a 40‑minute Vatican audience on 31 July 2026; both Chicago natives, accompanied by Antonio Spadaro, discussed art, faith and Smith’s prior Vatican ties. 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pope-leo-xiv-meets-punk-icon-patti-smith-at-vatican ### 2026-07-12: Patti Smith cites Pedro Sánchez and the Pope as her preferred voices Patti Smith said she listens to Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and the Pope for intelligent, compassionate voices, mentioning her rock influences. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patti-smith-cites-pedro-snchez-and-the-pope-as-her-preferred-voices --- Cite as: Patti Smith Vatican engagements. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/patti-smith-vatican-engagements