NaveedAl Pacino was baptized Catholic but has said he was not really raised in the faith. After nearly dying of COVID-19 in 2020, he is reported to have returned to his Catholic roots, and in June 2025 he met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
| Religion | Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
|---|---|
| Status | Catholic baptism confirmed; renewed faith reported by the press |
| Full name | Alfredo James Pacino |
| Born | April 25, 1940, New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor |
| Family faith background | Italian-American Catholic family with Sicilian roots |
What Religion Is Al Pacino?
Pacino is Catholic by baptism and heritage. For most of his life he kept quiet about religion and was not known as a practicing Catholic. Reports since 2025 describe him as reconnecting with the faith later in life.
A Catholic Baptism, a Loose Upbringing
Pacino was born in East Harlem to Italian-American parents with roots in Sicily. His parents separated when he was a small child, and he grew up largely with his mother and grandparents in the South Bronx.
He was baptized Catholic, but his upbringing was not strongly religious. For decades he rarely discussed faith in interviews.
The COVID Scare That Changed His Outlook
In an October 2024 interview with The New York Times, Pacino said he nearly died after catching COVID-19 in 2020. Paramedics told him he had no pulse. He said he “didn’t see the white light or anything,” but that the experience made him think about death for the first time.
In June 2025, columnist Richard Johnson reported that the near-death experience had led Pacino to re-examine his Catholic faith and return to his roots.
Meeting Pope Leo XIV
Pacino met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in June 2025, one of the first film stars to be received by the first American pope. He was accompanied by producer Andrea Iervolino of the film “Maserati: The Brothers,” and they presented the pope with a model Maserati car. Catholic outlets reported that the audience centered on faith, family and the film’s values.
FAQ
Is Al Pacino Catholic?
Yes. He was baptized Catholic and is reported to have renewed his Catholic faith after his 2020 COVID illness.
Did Al Pacino meet the Pope?
Yes. He met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in June 2025.
Did Al Pacino die of COVID?
No, but he said in 2024 that he briefly had no pulse after contracting COVID-19 in 2020, before paramedics revived him.
Related Celebrities
Sources
- Variety: Al Pacino meets with Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
- National Catholic Register: Actor Al Pacino meets with Pope Leo XIV
- NBC News: Al Pacino says he briefly died from Covid
- Richard Johnson: Nearly dying from COVID renewed Al Pacino's Catholic faith
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
