Overview
- The private audience took place at the Apostolic Palace on Friday, July 31, 2026, lasted about 40 minutes and was documented in an edited video published by Vatican Media.
- Father Antonio Spadaro, who accompanied Smith, described the encounter as feeling like a conversation between old friends and posted video and commentary about the meeting on social platforms.
- Footage shows Smith greeting the pope with a breathy “Hi,” appearing emotional and nearly speechless, and the pontiff recognizing a reference to her 1979 song “Wave.”
- Although Smith does not identify as Catholic, she wore a Franciscan Tau cross during the audience and has recent ties to the Holy See, including performing at the May inauguration of the Holy See’s Venice Biennale pavilion and past Vatican appearances for Pope Francis.
- Coverage frames the visit as cultural outreach rather than a political event, noting the pope’s recent meetings with high‑profile musicians and suggesting the Vatican will continue public engagement with artists while the encounter may prompt wider public interest in religious symbolism shown by non‑Catholic figures.