Punk icon Patti Smith meets Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV welcomed American musician and author Patti Smith to the Vatican on Friday. The meeting at the Apostolic Palace brought together two prominent figures, both hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Smith, often referred to as the "godmother of punk," has a multifaceted artistic career that includes music, poetry, photography, and visual art.

Her musical journey began in 1974 with her first single, followed by the breakthrough album "Horses" in 1975, which merged punk rock with spoken-word poetry. Smith recently established a distinct connection with the Vatican through an art initiative. In May, she inaugurated the Holy See's pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale.