Patti Smith on singing at the Vatican: 'Anyone who would confine me to an old line is a fool' News that rebel bard Patti Smith is to sing in a Christmas concert for the Vatican caused a small sensation. An Italian Catholic organisation decried her appearance as "blasphemous" and asked for it to be banned. Around Smith's adopted hometown, New York, blogs burbled and water coolers bubbled about her surprising move. One TV producer friend - Jewish, as it goes - lamented to me, "And to think I believed her when she sang, "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine."" You don't have to be Christian for those lyrics from Smith's 1975 track, Gloria, to be a lifeline. Their defiance still beckons the alienated outsider kids who flock to New York hoping to fit in with all the other misfits, just like she did. So arty New Yorkers claim Smith's playful and sombre artistry like their own Lady Liberty's torch. If punk is about controversy, then Smith had done it again. Yet interestingly, no such mini-scandal erupts when Smith sings for the Dalai Lama, as she frequently does. It's not an exact comparison, as Buddhism is known as a belief system, not a religion; yet the Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader, just like Pope Francis. However, even aside from its current crises, Catholicism is always filed under "organised religion," which Smith's iconoclastic work is supposed to smash, not endorse. Clearly, for Smith, nothing is sacred - even her own work. But artistically, isn't that her job description? Smith's landmark line has all the angst you'd expect from Catholics, Jews or members of any guilt-edged faith. Smith herself was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, "an austere faith, culturally and artistically," as she told the audience at a Museum of the Moving Image screening of Darren Aronofsky's Noah; she co-wrote a lullaby, Mercy Is ..., for the bold but wobbly epic. Wryly confiding that she had always fancied acting in a film, Smith said, "I always thought that life was like God's movie. I wanted to be in a movie but it didn't happen. But I got a good role in God's movie! Smith-spotters, please note - she doesn't count her quick appearance in Jean-Luc Godard's Film Socialisme. Seizing the moment, your reporter asked Smith how she felt about unsettling her fans with her Vatican performance. Smith responded with customary fire. "I'm not playing to the Pope," she snapped with classic ferocity. He may not even be there! But I expect there'll be a bunch of cardinals ..." (Audience applause, laughter.) It's a Christmas concert for the people, and it's being televised. I like Pope Francis and I'm happy to sing for him. Anyone who would confine me to a line from 20 years ago is a fool! Much applause. I had a strong religious upbringing, and the first word on my first LP is Jesus. I did a lot of thinking. I'm not against Jesus, but I was 20 and I wanted to make my own mistakes and I didn't want anyone dying for me. I stand behind that 20-year-old girl, but I have evolved. I'll sing to my enemy! I don't like being pinned down and I'll do what the fuck I want, especially at my age ... oh, I hope there's no small children here! Huge applause. So, braving criticism from hardcore Smith fans and Catholics, Patti Smith will rock the Vatican. Happily, Smith is essentially consistent. She really is New York's Other Lady Liberty.