Pope Leo’s first year: Encounters with celebrities

"I've been a fan of yours since San Remo! And my secretary is your biggest fan, if not in the world, then at least in Latin America!" Receiving such spontaneous compliments from a Pontiff is no small thing ... Received in a private audience on November 12, Italian singer Laura Pausini didn’t hide her surprise and emotion at the unexpected enthusiasm of Leo XIV, who apparently has been a fan of this popular artist since her performance at the San Remo festival in 1993. 

Well known in Europe, the singer is also a big star in Latin America, particularly in Peru. She reminded the American-Peruvian Pope that her first concert in Lima was in 2000.

Laura Pausini had gone to present to the Pope her song “Fratello sole e sorella luna” (“Brother Sun and Sister Moon”), inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures. She said she felt “super blessed” to experience this warm and almost family-like encounter with the Pope, who made sure that his secretary could take a photo with her.

The circulation on social media of an old photo of Father Edgard Rymaycuna Inga wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of the Italian star during one of her concerts in Peru helped to raise public awareness of this sober and discreet priest, born in 1989, who was recently elevated to the rank of “Monsignor.”

Also on the subject of music, the Pope enthusiastically attended the Concert With the Poor held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on December 6. There, he was seen tapping his foot and singing along to the melodies of Canadian crooner Michael Bublé.

In a completely different style, he also attended a concert conducted by Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, winner of the 2025 Ratzinger Prize, which he presented to him in person.

However, Leo XIV didn’t personally attend the spectacular show held last September in St. Peter's Square on the theme of “Grace for the World.” It featured drones, special effects, and international stars, including Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and the sultry Colombian singer Karol G.

This concert, sponsored and broadcast by Disney+, sparked some controversy over the risk of the Vatican losing its sacred character. In fact, the Pope's personal absence could be understood as distancing himself from this event, which coincidentally fell on the eve of his 70th birthday but was scheduled during Francis' pontificate.

On the other hand, the Pope's audience with the world of cinema on November 15 allowed him to greet many international figures, such as actresses Monica Bellucci and Cate Blanchett, and directors Spike Lee and George Miller.

For his part, Italian actor Roberto Benigni, whose film Life Is Beautiful was cited by Pope Leo XIV as one of his favorites, was able to present his show about St. Peter, Pietro - Un uomo nel vento (“Peter, a man in the wind”), directly to the Pope, which they watched together.

Other international celebrities, such as American actress Zoe Saldana and British model Naomi Campbell, have greeted the pope during general audiences.

The Pope's love of sports is well known and documented. Leo was particularly warm and delighted when he greeted the Giro d'Italia cyclists passing through the Vatican on June 1. Among them, Colombian Nairo Quintana spontaneously stopped to ask for his blessing. The Pope also received the Napoli players after their victory in the Italian championship.

But his real passions are baseball and, above all, tennis, which he resumed playing regularly this fall, almost every Tuesday at Castel Gandolfo. During his first meeting with the international press on May 12, a journalist suggested he participate in a charity tennis match with Andre Agassi.

“Good idea, as long as you don't bring Sinner,” the Pope replied humorously. His comment was a punning reference to tennis star Jannik Sinner and the English word “sinner.”

Two days later, the real Jannik Sinner became one of the first personalities to be received in private audience by the new pontiff.

Delighted to be given a racket by the world number one, the Pope was amused by a suggestion to play a few points: “At Wimbledon, they'd let me play!” he replied, alluding to his white outfit, before wisely changing his mind when he saw the furniture in the room where the meeting was taking place.

“We're going to break something here! Better not to do it,” he said.

A sign that Leo XIV is an enthusiastic fan, certainly, but not to the point of disturbing the peace of the small territory under his care.