Patti Smith has been chosen by the Holy See to perform at the Vatican’s Christmas concert in December, which will be held at Rome’s Auditorium Conciliazione and broadcast live on television. As The International Business Times points out (via Pitchfork), the singer met and shook hands with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square during a weekly general audience earlier this year. The Vatican’s announcement comes at the same time as another Catholic organization has been attempting to prevent Smith from performing a “blasphemous” show at the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples. Smith joins the Christmas show bill with house music DJ Bob Sinclar and “singing nun” Sister Cristina Scuccia. The concert will take place on 12/13.

[Photo of Smith standing outside of the Vatican earlier this year, Franco Origlia/Getty.]