Bob Dylan meets Pope Leo XIV – and the internet had some questions about his outfit
If you’re getting ready to meet Pope Leo XIV, you wear your Sunday best – but not everyone was convinced by singer Bob Dylan’s interpretation of the dress code.
The official Instagram account of the Vatican shared a photo of legendary American musician Bob Dylan and the pope who met in a “private audience” on November 4.
Pope Leo XIV meets with the American singer Bob Dylan during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace on November 04, 2026 Getty Images
While the shaking of hands of two iconic figures from the religious and musical words was enough to get the internet abuzz, it was Dylan’s attire that took the spotlight.
The Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door wore an all black jacket and pant ensemble paired with a show-stealing black hood.
But Dylan’s outfit choice has divided the internet, with many commenting under the Vatican’s official Instagram post.
“Dylan innovating again by being the first person ever to great a Pope with the hood on,” one wrote, with the comment amassing thousands of likes.
Some thought Dylan’s hoodie was an attempt at a show of respect: “Mr. Dylan got it wrong: according to traditional papal protocol, women are supposed to cover their heads in the Pope’s presence, not men,” another said.
While others demanded he take the hoodie off in the presence of Pope Leo.
“Take the hoodie off! Show a little bit of respect,” a third commented.
“Loose the hood Bob!!!” another said.
Dylan was in the middle of his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour when he swung by to meet Pope Leo XIV Getty
Dylan had stopped by the pope’s official residence, the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace in the middle of his Italy concert dates on his Rough and Rowdy Ways global tour.
According to the Vatican, the pope presented the Nobel Prize-winning musician with a rosary and Dylan returned the gesture by gifting Pope Leo a copy of his autobiography,Chronicles: Volume One.
Even with all those details, the internet couldn’t seem to get past Dylan’s hooded outfit.
“Why is Bob Dylan dressed like the grim reaper 😂” one fan wrote on Instagram.
Several others compared Dylan to the famous hooded Star Wars villain, Emperor Palpatine.
It appears Pope Leo XIV is a fan of Dylan’s, quoting the musician in his book Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift, released in July. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
“At first glance i thought it was Palpatine,” another commenter wrote.
It appears Pope Leo is a fan of Dylan’s, quoting the musician in his book Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift, released in July.
The book’s forward references lyrics from Dylan’s unpublished 1963 song Go Away You Bomb.
The visit marks the second meeting between Dylan and a sitting pope. He met with Pope John Paul II in 1997 when he performed at the 23rd National Eucharistic Congress in Bologna along with several other artists.
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