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Bob Dylan enjoys a private audience with Pope Leo
Bob Dylan met Pope Leo XIV during a private audience at the Vatican on 4 November, between tour dates in Milan and Rome. The meeting brought together the singer-songwriter and a pontiff who has previously shown appreciation for Dylan’s work, including quoting his lyrics in a book preface.
The Vatican described their exchange as brief and light-hearted, with greetings and gifts: the Pope gave Dylan a rosary, while Dylan presented him with his 2004 autobiography, *Chronicles: Volume One*. Dylan also met Pope John Paul II in 1997 after performing at an event in Bologna attended by about 300,000 people. He was due to perform in Rome on 5 November, with his tour set to finish with five London shows from 3 to 8 December.
In short
- Dylan met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 4 November.
- They exchanged a rosary and Dylan’s autobiography.
- The meeting came between tour dates in Milan and Rome.
Explained simply
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter whose work has shaped popular music for decades. Pope Leo XIV leads the Catholic Church and has previously referred to Dylan’s lyrics in writing about music and culture.
Dylan has met a pope before: in 1997, he performed at a large gathering in Bologna attended by Pope John Paul II. Such meetings bring together figures from different fields, and can reflect the Church’s interest in music and its place in public life.