Patti Smith Inaugurates Vatican Pavilion at 61st Venice Biennale with Sonic Prayer

On May 8, 2026, Patti Smith, alongside the Soundwalk collective, delivered a performance of "Sonic Prayer" at the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth (Chiesa degli Scalzi) to mark the opening of the Holy See Pavilion during the 61st Venice Biennale. This performance is part of the pavilion's initiative titled "The Ear Is the Eye of the Soul," which draws inspiration from Saint Hildegard of Bingen, emphasizing listening as both an artistic and spiritual journey. Curated by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, with Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers as co-curators, the pavilion encompasses two locations: the Giardino Mistico dei Carmelitani Scalzi in Cannaregio, showcasing works by Brian Eno, Meredith Monk, and Jim Jarmusch, and the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice complex in Castello, which features a contemporary scriptorium. The exhibition is scheduled to run from May 9 to November 22, 2026.