Pope Francis, who died on Monday (April 21) at 88, will be remembered as one of the most influential leaders of the Catholic Church.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francisco was the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff in inheriting the sovereignty of the city of the Vatican. He became the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 and, over the years until his death, he sought to make the institution a more inclusive place.
Several artists – from Andrea Bokelli to Bono, Katy Perry, J Balvin and Sting – met their holiness since their papacy began. Balvin met Pope Francis at a summit organized by the Vitae Global Foundation in 2022. “Always on high vibes, love and tolerance,” Balvin wrote in an Instagram post at that time that included a video and selfies with Francisco.
For his part, Bocelli met the Pope after acting with the Voices of Haiti Children’s Choir in August 2017. The Italian tenor resorted to social networks to honor Francisco’s legacy after the news of his death.
“Beyond the deep pain of an absence that weighs on us – and that will continue to do so, leaving us all in a quieter solitude – what we feel for him is a gratitude of the deepest and most lasting nature,” Bordelli wrote on Monday. “Since its inception, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation has found in Pope Francis a guide star, illuminating our path. From the first audience in 2013, we humbly present our intentions, and his words reconforted us and promoted us forward.”
Here the artists and musicians who met with Pope Francis over the years.
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Andrea Bokelli
Image Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty images
When they met: The Italian tenor shared a moment with Pope Francis in 2015, and again in 2017.
Where they met: In 2015, Francico and Bocelli met during a meeting in the Plaza de San Pedro in the city of the Vatican. Two years later, Bocelli sang with the Choir of Children Voices of Haiti in the Classroom Pablo VI of the Vatican.
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Bond
Image Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty images
When they met: May 2022
Where they met: The U2 leader met with Pope Francis to talk about climate change during an event at the Urbanian Pontifical University of Rome.
“The education of girls is a superpower in the fight against extreme poverty and I would like to ask their holiness if you believe that women and girls play the same powerful role to address the climatic crisis,” Bono asked Francisco during the event. The Pope replied: “In general, we talk about ‘Mother Earth’, not ‘Father Earth’. In addition, as I told you before, from the moment of the apple (in the garden of Eden), they are in charge.”
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Carlos Rivera
When they met: March 2019
Where they met: Vatican City
“An honor for me to have been appointed for his holiness Pope Francis as ambassador to his Occurrent Scholas Foundation for Mexico,” the Mexican singer wrote on social networks at that time. “I am honored to have been considered by him to join his wonderful cause.”
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J Balvin
When they met: At a summit organized by the Global Vitae Foundation in May 2022
Where they met: Vatican City
“Always on high vibrates, love and tolerance,” Balvin wrote in his Instagram publication, which included photos and videos of both together.
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Juanes
When they met: September 2015
Where they met: The Colombian singer -songwriter appeared before Pope Francis as part of the World Families Meeting.
“Deeply honored for the invitation to sing for Pope Francis,” Juanes wrote on X about his encounter at that time.
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Katy Perry
When they met: In April 2018 at the “United To Cure” conference on cancer research
Where they met: Vatican City
“I am a great admirer of Pope Francis. It is a combination of compassion, humility, firmness and rejection. He is a rebel, a rebel for Jesus,” Perry told Vogue Australia That year. “He is taking the church back to humility and connecting with people. It is very humble and nothing frivolous.”
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Patti Smith
When they met: Christmas beneficial concert in 2017
Where they met: Vatican City
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Burnet
When they met: The Argentine duo greeted Pope Francis in 2014.
Where they met: Vatican City
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Raphael
When they met: January 2020
Where they met: Spanish singer Raphael participated in a mass celebrated by Pope Francis
“I had the pleasure of meeting him from Buenos Aires when he was a bishop and how I know that he likes tangos, I have brought him tangos sung by me,” said Raphael in 2020, according to a Spanish media.
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Sebastián Yatra
When they met: March 2019
Where they met: Vatican City
“I thank God for this great blessing,” Yatra wrote on social networks in 2019. “I had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father and share a few words with Him. I feel very happy to announce that I am ambassador of the Scholas Foundation of Pope Francis.”
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Sting
When they met: August 2018
Where they met: Sting and his wife greeted Pope Francis during a weekly general audience in the classroom Paul VI in the Vatican.
Pope Francis is a true rock star! ”, The musician on Facebook said excitedly after meeting the Pontiff.” A genuine charism that filled the room. “
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