“And on jazz trombone, Pope Leo XIV.”

[tbdana]

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Before ascending to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost led a surprising double life: acclaimed theologian by day, and celebrated jazz trombonist by night. Known in Chicago’s music circles as “Bobby Prev,” he headlined several jazz festivals in the ’70s and ’80s with his signature mellow tone and soulful improvisations. Though he laid down the horn to follow his priestly calling, insiders say he still keeps a trombone in his Vatican apartment.

[tbdana]

“What mouthpiece does he use?”

[Posaunus]

Everybody knows that Leo's a traditionalist. He actually (anonymously) played sackbut in a French early music / folk ensemble called Les Sacré bleus.

[EriKon]

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Before ascending to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost led a surprising double life: acclaimed theologian by day, and celebrated jazz trombonist by night. Known in Chicago’s music circles as “Bobby Prev,” he headlined several jazz festivals in the ’70s and ’80s with his signature mellow tone and soulful improvisations. Though he laid down the horn to follow his priestly calling, insiders say he still keeps a trombone in his Vatican apartment.

Is that real?

[Posaunus]

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Before ascending to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost led a surprising double life: acclaimed theologian by day, and celebrated jazz trombonist by night. Known in Chicago’s music circles as “Bobby Prev,” he headlined several jazz festivals in the ’70s and ’80s with his signature mellow tone and soulful improvisations. Though he laid down the horn to follow his priestly calling, insiders say he still keeps a trombone in his Vatican apartment.

Is that real?

Only if today is April 1.

Prevost was a long-time missionary in Peru.
He's probably more familiar with the Andean quena (flute) than he is with the trombone.

[tbdana]

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Before ascending to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost led a surprising double life: acclaimed theologian by day, and celebrated jazz trombonist by night. Known in Chicago’s music circles as “Bobby Prev,” he headlined several jazz festivals in the ’70s and ’80s with his signature mellow tone and soulful improvisations. Though he laid down the horn to follow his priestly calling, insiders say he still keeps a trombone in his Vatican apartment.

Is that real?

Sorry, I'm afraid it was a joke.

[TomWest]

“What mouthpiece does he use?”

Kings 1-22. Not as popular as they once were, but are still used by players of a higher calling.

[Schultz]

Stolen shamelessly from a friend....

"I guess being a jazz trombonist made it easy for him to remain celibate"

[SwissTbone]

BREAKING: Vatican Vibes Go Latin Jazz!

Pope Leo XIV just dropped his debut album "Holy Slides & Sacred Grooves" — a groundbreaking fusion of smooth jazz trombone and spicy Peruvian rhythms.

Known to the faithful as His Holiness, and to the jam session crowd as "El Papa del Boppa", Leo’s solo in “Ave Maria con Cajón” reportedly summoned both the Holy Spirit and Carlos Santana from a neighboring studio.

Highlights include:

A swingin' rendition of El Condor Pasa featuring Gregorian scat vocals

The 7-minute epic "In Nomine Pater et Bebop"

And the fan favorite: “Lima Liturgy Lounge”, where pan flute meets plunger mute in divine harmony

Rumor has it the Swiss Guard now doubles as a backup brass section.
Spiritual enlightenment and toe-tapping guaranteed.

[Kbiggs]

BREAKING: Vatican Vibes Go Latin Jazz!

Pope Leo XIV just dropped his debut album "Holy Slides & Sacred Grooves" — a groundbreaking fusion of smooth jazz trombone and spicy Peruvian rhythms.

Known to the faithful as His Holiness, and to the jam session crowd as "El Papa del Boppa", Leo’s solo in “Ave Maria con Cajón” reportedly summoned both the Holy Spirit and Carlos Santana from a neighboring studio.

Highlights include:

A swingin' rendition of El Condor Pasa featuring Gregorian scat vocals

The 7-minute epic "In Nomine Pater et Bebop"

And the fan favorite: “Lima Liturgy Lounge”, where pan flute meets plunger mute in divine harmony

Rumor has it the Swiss Guard now doubles as a backup brass section.
Spiritual enlightenment and toe-tapping guaranteed.

[rdalton]

This topic made it to Snopes

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pope-leo-jazz-band/

[JohnL]

This topic made it to Snopes

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pope-leo-jazz-band/

You beat me to it...

Does that mean Dana's gone viral?

[tromboneVan]

This topic made it to Snopes

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pope-leo-jazz-band/

You beat me to it...

Does that mean Dana's gone viral?

No, it was just copied and pasted from some where.

[WGWTR180]

Unfortunately fake news.

[BGuttman]

I still thought it was funnier than the AI post of Trump as pope.

[JohnL]

You beat me to it...

Does that mean Dana's gone viral?

No, it was just copied and pasted from some where.

If I read the Snopes article correctly, it sounds like they think it originated here...

The story appeared to come from an online music forum where the author called the claim "a joke" hours after posting it.

The way these sorts of things run, someone might have tacked the image on later...

[matman]

My first good chuckle from this website. I admit to being taken in for a moment.

[boneberg]

BREAKING: Vatican Vibes Go Latin Jazz!

Pope Leo XIV just dropped his debut album "Holy Slides & Sacred Grooves" — a groundbreaking fusion of smooth jazz trombone and spicy Peruvian rhythms.

Known to the faithful as His Holiness, and to the jam session crowd as "El Papa del Boppa", Leo’s solo in “Ave Maria con Cajón” reportedly summoned both the Holy Spirit and Carlos Santana from a neighboring studio.

Highlights include:

A swingin' rendition of El Condor Pasa featuring Gregorian scat vocals

The 7-minute epic "In Nomine Pater et Bebop"

And the fan favorite: “Lima Liturgy Lounge”, where pan flute meets plunger mute in divine harmony

Rumor has it the Swiss Guard now doubles as a backup brass section.
Spiritual enlightenment and toe-tapping guaranteed.

[AndrewMeronek]

If he really did play jazz trombone, he'd probably have a take on this: