Naomi Campbell has been spotted giving Pope Leo XIV a completely unexpected present.
This week the British supermodel, 55, was part of the weekly general audience at Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The Papal Audience is held every Wednesday if the Pope is in Rome, which gives pilgrims and visitors the chance to receive the Papal Blessing.
One of the pilgrims this week was Naomi, who was photographed meeting the religious leader.
In the shots of them together, Naomi approached Pope Leo and shook his hand.
She then handed him a copy of the book – La Via delle Spezie (translated as The Spice Route) – which he then inspected as she seemingly explained what it was about and why she’d decided to give him a copy.
The book she gave him is a historical overview of the role spices have played in the history of food by a woman called Irina, who runs a business selling teas and spices from around the world.
Her website explains: ‘I’m Irina, the girl behind La Via delle Spezie. 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. Take a piece of these stories home with you.’
After handing over the book Naomi, who was dressed in a white shirt and black dress suit, as well as holding rosary beads, posed for a photograph with the Pope and several other people.
Although Naomi wasn’t raised Catholic – or appears to be a practising Catholic – she’s spoken in the past about her relationship with religion.
Naomi was raised Jehovah’s Witness, however her mother Valerie once explained that her daughter ‘had to choose her own faith’.
She did however choose to practice Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism.
In 2010 Naomi told Interview magazine: ‘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. I’ve been in and out of Kabbalah since around 2000. It’s just something I have taken more seriously [recently].’
However, she later shared: ‘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.”
Then in 2015, Naomi discussed her desires to meet the then-leader of the Catholic Church – Pope Francis.
Calling the experience one of her bucket list items she wanted to tick off, she explained: ‘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.’
After he died aged 88 in April this year, Naomi then shared a photo online in which she paid tribute to Pope Francis.
‘Couldn’t be in Rome without paying my respects to Pope Francis. A moment of deep gratitude before departing. You are so missed. Heartfelt, reverent, and full of longing.🙏🏾’ she shared on Instagram.
This week it was announced that the current Pope – who is from Chicago and the first pope from the United States – was set to welcome a string of stars to the Vatican.
On Saturday he will be holding a special audience at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, which will be attended by dozens of stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Alison Brie, Dave Franco and Monica Bellucci.
Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee and George Miller are also expected at the event, which is being organized by the Vatican’s culture office as part of the Catholic Church’s ongoing Holy Year celebrations.
It’s been reported that the Pope has ‘expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema…exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values’.
Last week the Pope also met with Robert De Niro, who was being honoured with the Lipa Capitolina, the top honour in the city of Rome.
In June he also met Al Pacino, which was the first reported official audience between the first American pope and a movie star.
This week the Vatican also shared a video of him online, in which he listed his four favourite films of all time. They were Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People and Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful.
Last year Pope Francis also hosted an event at the Vatican for comedians including late-night hosts Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.
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