Pope Leo XIV receives Ray-Ban sunglasses recalling his Blues Brothers photo
Saxophonist Blue Lou Marini gave the pope a pair of Ray-Bans at the Rimini Meeting on August 22, 2026, matching the ones Leo XIV wore in a photograph taken during his seminary years
Pope Leo XIV took part in the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, organized by the Catholic lay movement Communion and Liberation, in the Italian city of Rimini on August 22, 2026. There he was given a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses that recall an episode from his youth.
The gift refers to a photograph from his years as a seminarian, when he dressed as a member of "The Blues Brothers," the 1980 film set in his native Chicago. Saxophonist "Blue Lou" Marini, who played in the Blues Brothers band, attended the meeting and presented the sunglasses.
Marini, who was accompanied by his wife, Carmen, gave the pope a pair of Ray-Bans in the same style as the ones Leo XIV wore in that photograph. In an interview with Vatican News, Marini said his only regret was that he had not been able to have the glasses inscribed with the words "Papa Cool."
The pope and Marini spoke after the presentation. The saxophonist also gave Leo XIV two rosaries, which drew a smile from the pope. The exchange came during a short trip by the pope to Rimini and the Republic of San Marino. The meeting brought together thousands of people in an atmosphere of friendship and interreligious dialogue.
