The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. In doctrine each new Pope is considered to be the latest successor to St. Peter, who was head of the Apostles. Many celebrities and world leaders have had the honor of spending time with his eminence. Read on to find out who has met Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis...

In 1990, the late Sean Connery (1930-2020) met Pope John Paul II during a private audience that took place on November 20 that year, in Vatican City. Sir Sean Connery was accompanied by his wife, Micheline Roquebrune.

In 1999 U2 frontman Bono met Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) to discuss the Jubilee 2000 project, which had the aim of reducing the world’s poorest countries’ international debt. In 2005, the ‘Elevation’ hitmaker recalled how their encounter went, during an interview with The Sunday Times. Bono said: “He seemed to be starring at me. I wondered was it the fact I was wearing my blue fly-shades? So I took them off in case I was causing some offence. When I was introduced to him he was still starring at them. He kept looking at them in my hand so I offered them to him as a gift in return for the rosary he’d just given. Not only did he put them on, he smiled the wickedest grin you could ever imagine. He was a comedian. His sense of humor was completely intact.”

Another guest of honor to discuss the Jubilee 2000 project was music legend Quincy Jones, 89. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the producer recalled the moment when he met Pope John Paul II in 1999. And he had quite an hilarious anecdote! Jones said: “When you see that guy, you have to kiss his hand. I looked down and saw he had on burgundy wingtips with tan ribbed socks, man. When they took the picture, I had just said, ‘The Pope’s got some pimp shoes on, man!’”

In 2009, the then Prince Charles met Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022) in Vatican City, alongside his wife Camilla. Charles gifted the pontiff a set of 12 ceramic plates, painted with water colors of flowers from Highgrove’s gardens. According to The Guardian, while handing him the present, Charles said: "I don't know whether these will be of any help to you,” to which Benedict XVI replied: "Thank you very much.”

Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) didn't meet just one Pope, but five! The late monarch - who was head of the Church of England - shared time with Pope Pius XII in 1951, Pope John XXIII in 1961, Pope John Paul II in 1980, Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and Pope Francis in 2014. According to the Catholic News Agency, Benedict XVI described their encounter like a “very cordial meeting, characterized by the sharing of several profound concerns for the well-being of the world’s peoples and for the role of the Christian values in society".

Italian actress Sophia Loren, 88, met Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 in Vatican City. The events took place during a special concert honoring the pontiff, which was directed by Carlo Ponti, Loren’s son who is a well-renowned orchestral conductor.

In 2015, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, 64, along with other singers, sang ‘Amazing Grace’ at Saint Peter's Square in front of the Pope Francis, 86. The event was witnessed by approximately 30,000 people.

In 2017, action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, 75, met Pope Francis in Vatican City, and showed him part of his initiative R20 – Regions of Climate Action, which focuses on low carbon projects. Arnie took to Twitter to share a picture of the moment, describing him as “a true leader for the Church".

In 2018 Police frontman Sting, 71, and his wife Trudie Styler, attended Pope Francis’ weekly Papal audience in Vatican City. The pair had the opportunity to meet him, and Sting even retweeted a couple of images of their encounter, He wrote: “Pope Francis is a true rock star! A genuine charisma that filled the room.”

In December 2022, the 'Life is Beautiful' director had a private meeting with Pope Francis, prior to a General Audience. According to Catholic News World, Academy Award winner Roberto Benigni, 70, said: "This is Francis! It's Francis! This is the most beautiful moment. The most joyful. The brightest. Look at the light he radiates.” Pope Francis then joked by asking him “not to exaggerate.”