A giddy Patti Smith meets fellow Chicago legend, Pope Leo XIV, and says "Hi"

Rock legend Patti Smith met with Pope Leo XIV on Friday in Rome. During the encounter at the pope's desk in the Apostolic Palace, a giddy and nearly speechless Smith greeted him softly by saying "Hi."

For the meeting, Smith wore a crucifix necklace and styled her hair in her trademark braids. Both figures share connections to Chicago, with the reports noting them as fellow Chicago legends.

Ahead of the Friday meeting, Pope Leo XIV had attended the "Canticle of Peace" prayer and fraternity meeting at Borgo Laudato Si' in Castel Gandolfo, located southwest of Rome, earlier in the week on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.