Venice: Legendary singer and poet Patti Smith inaugurated the Holy See Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale with a moving performance titled Sonic Prayer at the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth in Venice.
The special event, held on Friday evening, marked the first public moment of the Vatican’s Pavilion project called The Ear Is The Eye Of The Soul. The initiative, promoted by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, invites visitors to rediscover the art of listening in a world often overwhelmed by noise, speed, and distraction.
The performance took place inside the historic Church of the Scalzi and was intentionally limited to a small number of guests to preserve a quiet and reflective atmosphere. Patti Smith performed together with the experimental sound art collective Soundwalk Collective, creating an immersive experience that combined music, spoken word, meditation, electronic sounds, percussion, and visual imagery.
Joining Smith on stage were Stephan Crasneanscki, Simone Merli, Diego Espinosa Cruz González, and Pedro Maia. Together, they created what organizers described as both a concert and a spiritual encounter.
The Holy See Pavilion will remain open to Biennale visitors from May 9 to November 22, 2026. The project takes inspiration from Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century mystic, theologian, and composer who believed sound could connect the human soul with the wider world.
Curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers said Patti Smith was the natural choice to inaugurate the Pavilion because her artistic journey has long united poetry, music, and spiritual reflection. They explained that Hildegard saw sound as a path to knowledge and harmony, and that Smith’s work carries a similar spirit.
The Vatican Pavilion is spread across two locations in Venice. One is the hidden Carmelite garden in the Cannaregio district, a peaceful space usually closed to the public. The garden has been transformed into an immersive sound environment featuring works by artists including Brian Eno, Meredith Monk, and Jim Jarmusch. Their creations blend with the natural sounds of the garden to encourage silence and contemplation.
The second venue is the Complesso di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in the Castello district. There, visitors can explore installations, archives, and artistic works inspired by the spiritual and cultural legacy of Hildegard of Bingen. Organizers describe the space as a “contemporary scriptorium,” bringing together ancient wisdom and modern creativity.
The Pavilion is commissioned by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. Speaking at the presentation of the project, the Cardinal said art can become a place where people encounter peace, hope, and deeper human connection.
Although the Pavilion officially opened at 6 p.m., its true beginning came through music and listening. With Patti Smith’s voice echoing through the historic Venetian church, the Vatican’s message at this year’s Biennale was clear: in a noisy world, listening itself can become a spiritual act.