[NKP_Vet]

In keeping with his image as the strangest pope in the last 1000 years Pope Francis has invited buddist/athiest, certainly not Christian punk rock singer Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican Christmas Party. Lord help us.

[jobim]

Robert Mapplethorp (Mr Pisskryst himself) was her bo and big influence, so maybe the Pope is celebrating her religious leanings?

[Sacajaweau]

he’s sick...he’s got dementia...this is what happens...nothing makes sense...

[posterchild]

Sinead O’Connor was not available?

[lee martell]

I was rather surprised. I thought, you can’t mean rock and roll Patti Smith who used to write reviews for the Rolling Stone, can you, not THAT Patti Smith. But yes, it is she. In a way, I like that Pope Francis is reaching out to other kinds of people, and inviting them to join us. I will probably be in the minority here, but I think more good than bad can result from these social gestures. I bought Patti’s album ‘Horses’ years ago, back when she was front page news.
She reminds me of the lead singer of the Pretenders, in that they are both sort of unpretentious, earthy and seem to be honest in their expression. Yes, Patti said something rude back in 1975, but come on, is there no room for forgiveness or second chances?

[Gamecock]

Patti?

[ClearCase_guy]

1) I am a huge Patti Smith fan. As an artist, I consider her significant.
2) Today, she maintains she is not a Catholic. I'm pretty sure that at no time in her life has she ever claimed to be Catholic.
3) She was raised a Jehovah's Witness. I do not consider them to be Christian (they are nontrinitarian). She did leave them, but that's an unfortunate background.

Why does the Pope do things like this? Is his choice of music a translation error?

[Brother Cracker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLIkM4wvcC8

[Forgotten Amendments]

I saw her two years ago. I’m not that familiar with her. But, I’m pretty sure she was very inebriated. And probably not on alcohol.

[al_c]

And Jesus dined with tax gentile collectors. Quite controversial in those days.

[Fido969]

I’m having a little trouble buying this. Patti Smith? “Heroin”?

Naw.

[dfwgator]

Did he invite the Dead Kennedys as well?

[jocon307]

Is this a joke? Is she going to do this?

[rollo tomasi]

Has anyone seen Patti Smith and Janick Gers in the same room?

[mountainbunny]

Why not? Is she worse than Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, or BB King, or anyone else who has played the Vatican?

Is some suggestive pop music better than others?

Jesus would have broken bread with her. To say otherwise is saying that some people are irredeemable.

I am amused with those who lectured others about their lack of faith when previous popes were in office.

Those same lecturers cluck and gripe about this pope - he doesn’t meet their superior standards of faith.

They know they’re right and the pope is wrong and they are unwilling to be judged the way they judged others with previous popes.

Dangerous territory.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Nobody will ever be able to accuse Frances of being an intellectual giant.

[MinuteGal]

Does anyone have a photo of Patti Smith, the real Patti Smith...and labeled as such? Thanks.

Leni

[Gasshog]

Sinead O Connor is deeply disappointed he didnt pick her.

[Organic Panic]

Don’t give up!

[piusv]

Is she gay?

[BlatherNaut]

In keeping with his image as the strangest pope in the last 1000 years Pope Francis has invited buddist/athiest, certainly not Christian punk rock singer Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican Christmas Party.

In keeping with the tone of his pontificate, I would have expected him to invite Elton John.