Updated 3d ago · Culture
Pope Leo Receives Bob Dylan at Vatican
Pope Leo XIV met Bob Dylan privately at the Apostolic Palace on Wednesday. Dylan was between concert dates in Italy.
- Leo gave Dylan a rosary; Dylan gave him his memoir.
- The Rev. Antonio Spadaro, a Vatican official, arranged the meeting.
- Dylan wore a black hoodie, coat and gloves, hood up.
- 1963: year Dylan wrote the song the pope quoted.
Why it matters: Leo quoted Dylan's unpublished song "Go Away You Bomb" in his 2026 book. He used it to warn against rearmament and nuclear weapons.
- Leo has criticized the war in Iran and stressed church opposition to nuclear arms.
- The meeting came weeks after Leo's lung cancer diagnosis following October surgery.
How 29 sources split on this story
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29 sources · 37 articles · 38% Right coverage
Center coverage, 9 sources: The center treats it as a light cultural moment, a Dylan fan pope opening his door to the singer.
CTV News5dBob Dylan blows in for meeting with Pope Leo at VaticanBillboard4dSix Other Musicians Who’ve Had an Audience With Pope LeoAssociated Press5dBob Dylan comes knockin’ on pope’s door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanBBC News5dUS singer Bob Dylan meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican CityNPR5dBob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanPBS NewsHour5dPope Leo XIV welcomes Bob Dylan to the Vatican in a brief visitSnopes4dIs this photo of Bob Dylan meeting Pope Leo XIV real?WESH 2 News5dBob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanWSB-TV Atlanta5dPope Leo XIV welcomes Bob Dylan during private Vatican audience
Left coverage, 9 sources: The left frames the visit as a meeting of two Midwestern Bobs, tied to faith and the pope's anti-nuclear message.
CNN5dBob the poet, meet Bob the priest: Pope Leo receives Bob Dylan at the VaticanABC News5dBob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanThe Independent3dThe gifts Bob Dylan and Pope Leo exchanged during their Vatican meetingRolling Stone3dA Jesuit Priest Explains How He Facilitated Bob Dylan’s Meeting With the PopeGQ5dBob Dylan Dressed Like Timothée Chalamet to Meet the PopeSan Francisco Chronicle5dBob Dylan meets Pope Leo at Vatican after Bay Area showsStar Tribune5dHoodie-wearing Minnesota singer meets Vatican holyman, exchanges giftsThe Atlantic4dWhen Bob Dylan Met the PopeVanity Fair4dBob Dylan Meets Pope Leo in a Black Hoodie and Polka-Dot Tie
Right coverage, 11 sources: The right focuses on Dylan's attire, keeping his hood and gloves on, and on the pope's recent health news.
Daily Mail5dWas it Blowin' in the Wind outside? Bob Dylan meets the Pope with his hood up (and even keeps his gloves on)LifeSiteNews4dLeo XIV's PR machine in overdrive with nonstop celebrity photo-ops - LifeSiteBoston Herald5dBob Dylan comes knockin’ on pope’s door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanBreitbart News5dBob Dylan Meets With Pope Leo at the VaticanCitizen Free Press4dBob Dylan meets with Pope Leo.Just the News5dPope Leo XIV welcomes singer-songwriter Bob Dylan to VaticanNew York Post5dPope Leo welcomes Bob Dylan to Vatican while rock legend tours in ItalyNewsmax5dPope Leo Welcomes Bob Dylan to VaticanPJ Media5dThe Pope of Rome Meets ‘The Poet Laureate of Rock and Roll’The Sun5dBob Dylan meets with Pope Leo at Vatican – as fans left stumped by music icon’s ‘confusing’ outfitThe Washington Times5dBob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to Vatican
What’s next: Dylan plays Rome on Thursday after a Monday show in Milan.
- What Leo and Dylan discussed in private has not been disclosed.
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