Carson Daly and his wife, Siri, traveled to Rome for the Vatican’s “Concert with the Poor,” led by their friend Michael Bublé. Ten feet away was Pope Leo XIV.
Working on “The Voice” for 15 years has yielded some magical collaborative moments that have transcended NBC’s mega hit TV show. In the early days, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera sat next to each other in those big red chairs bonding and offering expert advice to aspiring singers, which lead to the monster runaway radio hit, “Moves like Jagger.” Later, my friendship with Blake Shelton blossomed quickly. On July 3, 2021, I officiated his wedding to my longtime friend Gwen Stefani. Again, it was “The Voice” at the epicenter of more real-life magic.
Most recently, the coolest Canadian crooner and two-time “Voice” winning coach Michael Bublé joined the family. Now, we share not only the love of music, but also a deep Catholic faith.
Both altar boys growing up, he was the first person I exchanged texts with when the white smoke appeared over the Vatican on May 8, 2025, and a new pope was revealed. The first American pope: Pope Leo XIV.
Together on Friday, Dec. 5, we met Pope Leo face-to-face in Rome. And then again, the next day. We both kept asking each other: How in the world did this just happen?
Michael had been invited to headline the Vatican’s “Concert with the Poor” inside Paul VI Hall in Vatican City, one event among many for yearlong Jubilee ceremonies. Bublé and his kind, beautiful wife Luisana invited me and my wife, Siri, to travel with them and their family to attend and meet Pope Leo. Skeptically, we agreed. It seemed almost too good to be true.
At the concert on Saturday, Dec. 6, filled with 3,000 beautiful, disadvantaged people from all over the world, his Holiness not only attended — a first for the annual concert — but also sat 10 feet away from us. We witnessed him singing along to Bublé, the Choir of the Diocese of Rome and the incredible Nova Opera Orchestra. It was without a doubt one of the best and most inspiring music events I’ve ever witnessed.
After the concert, to mark a surprise second meeting with the pope, I thanked him for the night and for recommending the book I’m currently reading: “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence.
“Oh, good!” he responded, smiling wide.
A day earlier, we experienced another pinch me moment while in Rome. (There were many.) During a private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, we entered through the Holy Door, or Porta Sancta, which only opens every 25 years.
After we were already amazed by the basilica’s beauty and extraordinary history, we noticed a small documentary film crew with unfettered access to Saint Peter’s tomb, which lies some 30-50 feet below the center of the world’s largest Catholic Church. Sanctioned by the Vatican, that film is being overseen by actor Chris Pratt. Coincidentally, Chris and I have attended the same Catholic parish in California: St. Monica’s, where I was baptized, went to elementary school, was confirmed and served Mass. We chatted with Chris and the crew and can’t wait for the film to come out in 2026, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica. Small world.
Finally, just one day before enjoying a concert next to him, I met Pope Leo for the first time. So many have asked me how I decided what to say. Imagine, you have somewhere in the neighborhood of five to 20 seconds to say something to the pope — where do you even start? I racked my brain for something remotely poignant enough for the moment. But in the end, I deferred to what is most important to me: faith and family. Perhaps I try to broker some sort of future spiritual insurance policy for my kids? I’m not even sure myself. But I know I worry about them for after I’m gone. And it sure would be nice if the pope could put the word in with his boss to look after them for me.
So here’s verbatim what I said, heart pounding, with a picture of my kids in hand, when it was our turn to step up:
“Holy Father, we’re so honored. I’m Carson, this is my wife, Siri … We ask that you pray for our children, that God may continue to hold their hands when we no longer can. Thank you. God bless you.”
He nodded affectionately, made the sign of the cross over the photo of our kids and blessed them. Completely in a daze, we stepped aside, were given a blessed papal rosary and sat back in our seats, feeling equal parts overjoyed and relieved.
It didn’t take long, maybe only minutes for inspiration to kick in and become tangible. Inspiration can be a sort of magic. Throughout my trip, I felt a spark inviting me to live with greater compassion, intention and courage. As the upcoming days, months and even years unfold, I know that our special time in Rome will linger and hopefully shape both small choices and grand pursuits alike, reminding us that meaningful change often begins with a single, sacred meeting.
