Updated 1w+ 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Why it matters: Leo quoted Dylan's unpublished song "Go Away You Bomb" in his 2026 book.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 News1w+Bob Dylan blows in for meeting with Pope Leo at VaticanBillboard1w+Six Other Musicians Who’ve Had an Audience With Pope LeoAssociated Press1w+Bob Dylan comes knockin’ on pope’s door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanBBC News1w+US singer Bob Dylan meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican CityNPR1w+Bob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanPBS NewsHour1w+Pope Leo XIV welcomes Bob Dylan to the Vatican in a brief visitSnopes1w+Is this photo of Bob Dylan meeting Pope Leo XIV real?WESH 2 News1w+Bob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanWSB-TV Atlanta1w+Pope 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.
CNN1w+Bob the poet, meet Bob the priest: Pope Leo receives Bob Dylan at the VaticanABC News1w+Bob Dylan comes knockin' on pope's door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanThe Independent1w+The gifts Bob Dylan and Pope Leo exchanged during their Vatican meetingRolling Stone1w+A Jesuit Priest Explains How He Facilitated Bob Dylan’s Meeting With the PopeGQ1w+Bob Dylan Dressed Like Timothée Chalamet to Meet the PopeSan Francisco Chronicle1w+Bob Dylan meets Pope Leo at Vatican after Bay Area showsStar Tribune1w+Hoodie-wearing Minnesota singer meets Vatican holyman, exchanges giftsThe Atlantic1w+When Bob Dylan Met the PopeVanity Fair1w+Bob 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 Mail1w+Was it Blowin' in the Wind outside? Bob Dylan meets the Pope with his hood up (and even keeps his gloves on)LifeSiteNews1w+Leo XIV's PR machine in overdrive with nonstop celebrity photo-ops - LifeSiteBoston Herald1w+Bob Dylan comes knockin’ on pope’s door as Leo welcomes legend to VaticanBreitbart News1w+Bob Dylan Meets With Pope Leo at the VaticanCitizen Free Press1w+Bob Dylan meets with Pope Leo.Just the News1w+Pope Leo XIV welcomes singer-songwriter Bob Dylan to VaticanNew York Post1w+Pope Leo welcomes Bob Dylan to Vatican while rock legend tours in ItalyNewsmax1w+Pope Leo Welcomes Bob Dylan to VaticanPJ Media1w+The Pope of Rome Meets ‘The Poet Laureate of Rock and Roll’The Sun1w+Bob Dylan meets with Pope Leo at Vatican – as fans left stumped by music icon’s ‘confusing’ outfitThe Washington Times1w+Bob 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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