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Bob Dylan meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in rare public appearance
Bob Dylan met Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace during his tour of Italy, in a brief meeting of greetings and lighthearted exchanges. The visit drew attention to the unusual connection between the singer’s protest songs and papal references to his lyrics.
The Pope gave Dylan a rosary, and Dylan presented him with his autobiography, *Chronicles: Volume One*. Leo had quoted lyrics from Dylan’s unreleased 1963 song “Go Away You Bomb” in a book preface; Pope John Paul II also referenced “Blowin’ in the Wind” at a 1997 gathering of 300,000 young people in Bologna. Dylan was due to perform in Rome on 5 November, followed by ten UK dates later in the month.
In short
- Bob Dylan met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
- They exchanged a rosary and Dylan’s autobiography.
- Two popes have referenced Dylan’s lyrics.