Supermodel's Surprise Present for Pontiff
British fashion icon Naomi Campbell created an unexpected moment during this week's Papal Audience at St Peter's Square when she presented Pope Leo XIV with a rather spicy literary offering. The 55-year-old supermodel, dressed elegantly in a white shirt and black dress suit while clutching rosary beads, approached the religious leader during the Wednesday general audience at the Vatican.
In photographs capturing their meeting, Campbell can be seen shaking hands with the Pope before handing him a copy of La Via delle Spezie (translated as The Spice Route). The supermodel appeared to be explaining the book's contents and her reasons for selecting this particular gift as the Pontiff inspected the volume.
The Spice Route: An Unconventional Choice
The book Campbell chose to gift represents a fascinating departure from traditional papal offerings. La Via delle Spezie provides a historical overview of spices and their crucial role in culinary history, authored by a woman named Irina who operates a business specialising in global teas and spices.
According to her website, Irina explains her passion: "For years I've travelled the world, visiting traditional markets and distant lands in search of the most authentic and precious spices and teas. Every product you find at my stand is the fruit of encounters, traditions, and a love of discovery."
Following the book presentation, Campbell posed for photographs with Pope Leo XIV and several other attendees, marking the culmination of an encounter that blended high fashion with spiritual tradition.
A Long-Awaited Papal Meeting
While Campbell wasn't raised Catholic and doesn't appear to be a practising member of the faith, this meeting represents the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration. The supermodel had previously expressed her desire to meet a Pope, specifically mentioning this ambition back in 2015 when she discussed hoping to encounter Pope Francis.
At that time, she told Interview magazine: "I just keep saying 'I want to meet the Pope' and then someone said 'do you want to come?' and I said 'yeah!' But I didn't want to meet him in America, I wanted to meet him in his home. I think this Pope is absolutely amazing."
Campbell's spiritual journey has been notably eclectic. Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, her mother Valerie once revealed that her daughter "had to choose her own faith." The supermodel subsequently explored Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, telling Interview in 2010: "I study Kabbalah because it takes me to a positive, calm place. That's what I use it for, and it helps me a lot."
She later clarified her broader religious perspective: "We're all looking for positivity in our lives and looking towards the light but I just believe in God. I am religious. I pray most days and do my thing. But each to their own."
Vatican's Growing Hollywood Connections
Campbell's visit coincides with an increasingly busy schedule of celebrity encounters for the Vatican. The current Pope, who hails from Chicago and represents the first American to hold the position, is set to welcome numerous stars to the Holy See in coming days.
This Saturday will see a special audience at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace attended by dozens of high-profile figures including:
- Cate Blanchett
- Chris Pine
- Viggo Mortensen
- Alison Brie and Dave Franco
- Monica Bellucci
Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee and George Miller are also expected at the event, organised by the Vatican's culture office as part of ongoing Holy Year celebrations. Reports indicate the Pope has "expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema" and explore how artistic creativity can support the Church's mission.
This follows recent meetings with other Hollywood legends, including Robert De Niro, who received Rome's highest honour, the Lipa Capitolina, and Al Pacino, whose June audience marked the first reported official meeting between the American Pope and a movie star.
The Vatican has also recently shared insights into the Pontiff's cinematic tastes, revealing his four favourite films as:
- Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life
- Robert Wise's The Sound of Music
- Robert Redford's Ordinary People
- Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful
This continuing dialogue between the Vatican and entertainment figures follows last year's event hosted by Pope Francis for comedians including Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon, demonstrating the Church's ongoing outreach to creative industries.
For Naomi Campbell, the meeting represents both a personal milestone and participation in this broader cultural exchange, made memorable by her distinctive literary gift that added some spice to Vatican traditions.
