Vatican’s Culture Minister Details Bob Dylan’s Audience With Pope

Bob Dylan met Pope Leo XIV in a private audience at the Vatican, where the two sat together in the Pope’s library. The meeting drew attention because of Dylan’s long public career and the striking contrast between his casual clothes and the formal setting; a Vatican culture official said the Pope found his outfit entirely natural.

Antonio Spadaro, the Jesuit priest who arranged the audience, said Dylan was interested in meeting Leo and the Pope was open to it, but did not disclose what they discussed. Dylan and his group arrived 15 minutes early for a 3.45 pm appointment, waited until 4.20 pm, then went to the Pope’s apartment. Dylan previously performed for Pope John Paul II in 1997, and released three Christian-themed albums between 1979 and 1981.