Bob Dylan went to the Pope as if he were just popping down to the corner store

Bob Dylan met Pope Leo XIV on November 4 at the Vatican during his Italian tour. The 85-year-old musician wore a casual outfit, drawing comparisons to Star Wars' Emperor Palpatine. Dylan gifted the Pope a copy of his autobiography, while the Pope reciprocated with a rosary. Their brief meeting involved greetings and light conversation, without a musical performance. This is not their first encounter; Dylan previously met Pope John Paul II in 1997, performing three songs. Pope Leo XIV has shown familiarity with Dylan's work, referencing his anti-war song in a preface he wrote before becoming pope. Dylan, born into a Jewish family, converted to Christianity and has released several religious-themed albums, emphasizing the importance of faith in his life.