Schlager icon Heino marked the third anniversary of his wife Hannelore’s death on Sunday by publishing an Instagram video of his private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, where he spoke with the pontiff about his faith and his late spouse, according to reporting by Domradio.
- The Anniversary Post: On November 8, 2026, the 87-year-old singer shared footage from his January trip to Rome alongside two black-and-white photos of a young Hannelore.
- The Papal Connection: During a private audience in the Apostolic Palace, Heino presented Pope Leo XIV with a Golden Record for his album Frieden auf Ewigkeit, bearing the inscription
Hoffnungsträger Papst Leo XIV
. - Tour Plans: Heino credited Hannelore with the initial concept for his series of over 250 church concerts, confirming plans to continue the tour next year.
Heino, whose legal name is Heinz Georg Kramm, marked the somber milestone by releasing a short clip showing him shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV, Domradio reported. The singer noted that Hannelore would have been immensely proud of the encounter. According to Bunte, the meeting in the Pope’s private library was arranged after Heino’s manager, Helmut Werner, wrote a personal letter to the pontiff the previous autumn.
During the audience, the 70-year-old pontiff greeted the German delegation in German. Heino spoke about his music and his wife, while Werner translated the remarks into English. The Pope responded by offering a private intercessory prayer for the singer and presenting him with a blessed rosary featuring a silver cross, as detailed by Bunte.
Hannelore Auer married Heino in 1979 and remained by his side as his wife and manager until her death in 2023 at the age of 81. Der Videoclip ist unterlegt mit Heinos Liedzeilen: Viele Jahre schon vergangen, leicht und frei für alle Zeit. Rosen werden noch immer blühen
. Heino closed the digital tribute with a direct, posthumous message to his late wife: Mein Girl, ich liebe dich – pass auf uns auf!
Reflecting on the meeting as a Sternstunde
or milestone of his life, Heino described Pope Leo XIV to Domradio as das freundliche Gesicht der Kirche und ein Mann des Friedens
. The singer confirmed that the extensive church concert series, which has spanned more than 250 performances, was originally Hannelore’s vision. He expressed gratitude for the success of those performances and stated his intention to carry them forward into the following year.
| Event Detail | Fact / Figure |
|---|---|
| Anniversary Date | November 8, 2026 (Third anniversary of Hannelore’s passing) |
| Heino’s Age | 87 years old |
| Papal Meeting Time | January (Private audience in the Vatican) |
| Church Concert Milestone | Over 250 performances |
