Between shows in Milan and Rome on Bob Dylan's ongoing 2026 tour, the “Blowin' in the Wind” singer made a trip to the Vatican to visit Pope Leo.
Vatican News posted pictures from their meeting, during which Dylan wore his signature hoodie. In their report, they noted that the meeting was “brief” and consisted of “greetings and a few lighthearted exchanges.”
Dylan, who famously went through a religious era in the '80s with the trilogy of Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Short of Love, was gifted a rosary. He gave the pope his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One.
Pope Leo XIV met with American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in a private audience on Wednesday, November 4. pic.twitter.com/7OAJcluj0n
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) November 4, 2026
Previously, Dylan played in front of Pope John Paul II in Italy in 1997. It's unknown whether or not Pope Leo will attend one of Dylan's upcoming concerts in Italy.
The memoir Dylan gifted the pope was released in October 2004. While subtitled Volume One, he hasn't released a second volume yet.
Bob Dylan's 2026 tour stops in Italy
Dylan is currently on his Lights of Autumn Tour, which will visit the United Kingdom and Europe. He has already performed in Milan, Italy, and will perform in Rome and Bologna on Nov. 5 and 7, respectively. From there, it's off to Slovenia.
The tour will conclude with a five-night stay at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Dylan will perform concerts there from Dec. 3 to 8.
He has had a busy year. Dylan embarked on the Long Hot Summer Tour over the summer in North America, which culminated with a show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York.
His current setlist includes songs from his last album of original material, Rough and Rowdy Ways. He also plays hits like “It Ain't Me, Babe,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” and “I Shall Be Released.”