Robert De Niro Stops by the Vatican for a Meeting with Pope Leo – Find Out More
In a memorable end to his visit to Rome, actor Robert De Niro was granted a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. The meeting on November 7, 2025, created a powerful image that quickly captivated online audiences.
The Pope personally welcomed the Hollywood icon, greeting him with a warm “Good morning! It’s a pleasure to meet you!” inside the Sala del Tronetto. De Niro reciprocated the graciousness, replying, “For me as well,” in a brief but respectful exchange.
Despite a demanding schedule, the Pope dedicated time to De Niro and his five guests, who included family members. The audience featured formal photographs, a conversation in English, and a significant gesture from the Pope, who presented each person with a blessed rosary.
Drena De Niro, the actor’s daughter, offered a heartfelt perspective on the event online. She shared that the profound honor of being in the Pope’s presence would stay with her forever, moved by the love and kindness she experienced.
She also felt a spiritual connection to her late son, Leo, during the audience. Drena noted meaningful, subtle moments, such as her mantilla slipping whenever the Pope approached, and described the gifted rosary as a deeply personal treasure.
The day before this meeting, De Niro was honored with Rome’s highest civic award, the Lupa Capitolina. Standing with the mayor on the Campidoglio balcony, he expressed how moving it was to be recognized in a city he described as a “living work of art.”
De Niro’s Roman journey masterfully connected his cultural legacy, Italian heritage, and personal spirituality. The visit culminated in a quiet, human moment—a handshake and a blessing shared between a man of cinema and a man of faith.
