Patti Smith to rock Vatican's Christmas concert: 'I like Pope Francis and I'm happy to sing for him'

NEW YORK, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Patti Smith famously opened her 1975 hit, "Gloria," with the line: "Jesus died for somebody's sins/But not mine."

So both fans and opponents were surprised when the Vatican announced that the 67-year-old singer-songwriter, known as the "Godmother of Punk," would perform for the Catholic Church's annual Christmas concert.

The Independent reported last week that Smith is one of the 18 artists scheduled to perform at Auditorium Conciliazione, near Vatican City, on December 13.

"It's a Christmas concert for the people, and it's being televised. I like Pope Francis and I'm happy to sing for him," Smith told reporters in New York City on Tuesday. "Anyone who would confine me to a line from 20 years ago is a fool!"

"I had a strong religious upbringing, and the first word on my first LP is Jesus," Smith added. "I did a lot of thinking. I'm not against Jesus, but I was 20 and I wanted to make my own mistakes and I didn't want anyone dying for me. I stand behind that 20-year-old girl, but I have evolved."

Smith shook hands with the pope at the Vatican last year. She described the experience as "very interesting."

Catholic association Portosalvo committee recently asked Naples Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe to ban Smith's scheduled Naples performance on December 9, calling the singer "blasphemous."