Vatican City: Hollywood icon Robert De Niro, celebrated for his roles in countless films, concluded a 48-hour visit to Rome with a memorable meeting at the Vatican. During his stay, the actor was honored with the Lupa Capitolina medal by Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, and this morning he had a brief but warm encounter with Pope Leo XIV, who gifted him a Rosary.
The meeting began with laughter the kind sparked when you finally meet in person someone whose face has graced screens and magazines for decades. “Good morning! It’s a pleasure to meet you!” the Pope greeted first. “For me as well,” replied De Niro, smiling.
The private audience took place in the Sala del Tronetto of the Apostolic Palace, nestled amid the pontiff’s busy schedule. The 82-year-old two-time Oscar winner, though American, proudly traces his heritage to Molise in Italy. He had hoped to end his Roman sojourn with a handshake from the Pope, a fellow Italian descendant who, according to longtime Chicago friends, has always cherished cinema. The encounter featured light conversation in English, a photo with his five companions, and the presentation of a Rosary by the Holy Father to each attendee.
De Niro’s time in Rome was steeped in art and history. Yesterday, he marveled at the Imperial Forums from the Campidoglio balcony, accompanied by the mayor. “Rome is more than a city; it’s a living work of art,” he remarked while receiving the Lupa Capitolina, the city’s highest civic honor.
The actor, renowned for iconic roles such as in The Godfather for which he even mastered the Sicilian accent accepted the award with heartfelt emotion. “Being recognized here, in a place that has contributed so profoundly to culture, cinema, and beauty, is truly moving,” he said. “My family has roots in Italy, so this honor carries a deeply personal significance for me.”