Global music icon Harry Styles has finally explained his unexpected presence at the Vatican during the historic announcement of a new pope last March, revealing the bizarre sequence of events that led him from a barber's chair to St. Peter's Square.
A Surreal Roman Interruption
The 31-year-old singer detailed the extraordinary experience during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show with Greg James. Styles described being mid-haircut in Rome when the city erupted with excitement over the papal election.
"It happened when I was getting a haircut in Rome," Styles explained. "Then I just heard all these people start shouting: 'Habemus papam, habemus papam' ('we have a pope'), and people just running down the street."
The barber immediately stopped cutting Styles' hair, excitedly announcing the news of the new pontiff. Recognising he was mere minutes from witnessing history, Styles decided to investigate the commotion.
An Impromptu Vatican Visit
"So then we finished up, and I was like: 'Oh, I'm like, five minutes' walk from history', so I walked over there. It was wild," the singer recounted of his spontaneous decision to join the crowds gathering for Pope Leo XIV's announcement.
Styles was subsequently photographed among the throngs of faithful and curious onlookers, sporting distinctive headwear featuring the slogan 'techno is my boyfriend' – an ironic fashion statement amidst the solemn religious proceedings.
New Musical Chapter Approaches
During the same interview, Styles shared humorous insights about his upcoming fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, which is scheduled for release on March 6. The singer revealed the project nearly received a considerably less glamorous working title.
"It had previously been close to being called 'Drink Water All The Time, But You Have To Pee Occasionally'," Styles joked, demonstrating his characteristic playful approach to his craft.
Major Tour Announcement
The album release will be followed by Styles' first concert tour in three years, named Together, Together, commencing in May. British fans have particular cause for excitement, with the singer scheduled to perform six consecutive dates at London's iconic Wembley Stadium beginning June 12.
Tickets for the London leg will enter pre-sale on January 26 at 11am, before becoming generally available on January 30 at the same time. This represents a significant return to large-scale live performances for the artist following his extended break from touring.
Career Context and Legacy
Styles launched his phenomenally successful solo career after One Direction entered hiatus in 2016, nearly a year after Zayn Malik's departure from the group. His debut self-titled album arrived in 2017, followed by Fine Line in 2019 and Harry's House in 2022 – with both the first and third releases achieving number one status in the UK charts.
The artist has secured two UK number one singles as a solo performer with As It Was and Sign Of The Times, alongside multiple Grammy and Brit Award victories. His career continues to evolve amidst personal and professional milestones, including the tragic loss of former bandmate Liam Payne in 2024, which saw surviving One Direction members reunite for a poignant funeral gathering.
Styles' Roman adventure provides another colourful chapter in his extraordinary journey from boyband member to global superstar, demonstrating how even mundane activities like haircuts can become intertwined with world events when you're one of music's most recognisable figures.
