Harry Styles at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome today
Harry Styles has been snapped in the Vatican City to see the new pope announced (Picture: X / @HarryNiallNews)

Harry Styles has been snapped on a rather baffling side quest, as fans spotted him in Rome for the new Pope’s announcement.

On May 8, the papal conclave in the Vatican chose the new Pope, and white smoke began billowing out of the Sistine Chapel.

A bell marked the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

For some reason, the former One Direction icon was among the visitors in Rome who gathered at St Peter’s Square, the iconic square in the Vatican City, directly in front of St Peter’ Basilica.

The singer, 31, was dressed down in a blue jacket, grey cap and a pair of square black sunglasses.

It’s been a bizarre journey to Rome for the star, who made a stop off in Tokyo to run a marathon and also visited Berlin, with a report in The Sun suggesting he was there to record his new album.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica.
Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost is the new pope (Picture: TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
The pope appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to address the crowd (Picture: REUTERS)
Faithful gather at St. Peter's Square as Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States is elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
St. Peter’s Square was heaving as Pope Leo XIV was elected (Picture: REUTERS)
Harry Styles at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome today
Fans were surprised to see Harry (Picture: X / @HarryNiallNews)

In March, Harry was seen out and about with close friend James Corden in London, and the same blue jacket he was snapped wearing in Rome.

Fans immediately recognised Harry among the throngs of people outside the Vatican, taking to social media to share their confusion as to why he was there as well as his other unusual jaunts this year.

‘Harry Styles is so random, one day he’s at the grammys winning album of the year, then he’s running a marathon in japan, but he could also be in rome waiting for the announcement of the new pope, i love being his fan,’ said axlsugar on X.

‘Of course Harry Styles was in Rome waiting for the new Pope to be announced. Where else would he be,’ said moondancerry.

Fans also spotted that the Watermelon Sugar singer’s cap read: ‘techno is my boyfriend,’ which many found hilarious.

‘Mind you harry styles was in Rome watching the new pope being announced wearing a cap that says “techno is my boyfriend”,’ said SYSCAbout.

Harry Styles in Mayfair
Harry has been snapped in the blue coat previously (Picture: Neil Mockford/GC Images)

‘watching the new pope with a “techno is my friend” hat. you’re actually funniest most fascinating person ever, @harrystyles,’ said judgyville.

Since the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne in October of last year, the What Makes You Beautiful singer has been fairly reclusive.

Harry is not the only celebrity in Rome at the moment; Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were snapped making their red carpet debut in Rome this week at the 70th David Di Donatello Awards.

The Italian Open has also brought a number of tennis stars and celebrity spectators who are in Rome, enjoying the sport.

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