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Pope Leo XIV had a full-circle Blues Brothers moment in Rimini, Italy, meeting “Blue Lou” Marini—the saxophonist known for performing with the legendary Blues Brothers band. The Chicago-born pontiff told Marini he had been a fan since the beginning, turning the encounter into an unexpected pop-culture crossover between the Vatican and one of his hometown’s most iconic movies.
Pope meets a Blues Brother icon
Pope Leo XIV met with the saxophonist of the famous band on Saturday afternoon in Rimini, on the sides of the Papal visit to Rimini and San Marino.
“I am a fan from when I was probably in high school,” the American-born Pontiff told Marini.
The Pontiff was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, and the famous Blues Brothers musical comedy film was mainly shot in the same city.
The Blues Brothers began as a rhythm-and-blues comedy act created by Saturday Night Live stars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, who debuted as the characters Elwood and “Joliet” Jake Blues in 1978.
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What started as a loving tribute to blues and soul music quickly became a real touring band backed by top musicians, including saxophonist Lou Marini.
In 1980, Aykroyd and Belushi brought the characters to the big screen in The Blues Brothers film, a Chicago-set musical comedy. The film’s music, car chases and “mission from God” storyline helped make it a lasting cult classic, while the duo’s image became one of the most recognizable in pop culture.
During their brief meeting Pope Leo and Marini were heard chatting about the movie and the scenes that were shot in Chicago.
Marini arrived prepared: He presented the Pope with a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses in the style made famous by the film’s black-suited, hat-wearing brothers. In return, Pope Leo gave Marini two rosaries.
The photo that made it perfect
The meeting carried an extra layer of nostalgia after Vatican News resurfaced a photo of a young Robert Prevost dressed as a Blues Brother during his seminary years in Chicago. In the image, the future Pope wears the unmistakable uniform: black suit, black hat and dark sunglasses.
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It was a brief meeting, but one that felt straight out of Chicago: a Pope, a saxophonist, a pair of shades—and a shared love of The Blues Brothers.
Marini lovingly ended his encounter with the Holy Father with words that were surely to fill Pope Leo’s heart, “I’m so happy for you and I’m proud of you.”
