The Astonishing Revelation of Cryogenically Frozen Popes: Dale Bozzio’s Vatican Tale

In a jaw-dropping revelation that sounds like it was ripped from the pages of a sci-fi novel, Dale Bozzio, the iconic frontwoman of the 1980s new wave band Missing Persons, has shared an extraordinary story about her experience inside the Vatican. During an interview with Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Bozzio recounted a surreal moment from her past when her mentor and friend, the legendary Frank Zappa, allegedly secured her access to a secretive chamber within the Vatican—a room where former Popes, including a distant relative of hers, were reportedly cryogenically frozen and preserved. This astonishing claim has sparked intrigue, skepticism, and fascination, shedding light on a bizarre intersection of music, mystery, and Vatican secrets.

A Rock Star’s Unlikely Vatican Adventure

Dale Bozzio’s career is a tapestry of bold fashion, innovative music, and larger-than-life experiences. As the lead singer of Missing Persons, she helped define the new wave sound with hits like “Destination Unknown” and “Walking in L.A.,” her quirky vocal style and futuristic aesthetic leaving an indelible mark on the 1980s music scene. But before her rise to fame, Bozzio’s journey took her under the wing of Frank Zappa, the avant-garde musical genius who discovered her and gave her a platform in his band. It was during her time touring with Zappa, she claims, that she was granted a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into a hidden Vatican secret.

According to Bozzio, while on tour in Europe with Zappa’s band, Frank arranged for her and her then-husband, drummer Terry Bozzio, to visit the Vatican. Zappa, known for his eclectic interests and connections, allegedly pulled strings to get them special access. Bozzio described the experience as deeply personal, as she was there to see the body of a long-deceased relative—a great-uncle of the seventh generation who had once served as an acting Pope. What she encountered, however, was far stranger than she could have imagined.

The Eerie Room of Frozen Popes

In her interview with Billy Corgan, Bozzio painted a vivid and chilling picture of the scene she witnessed. She described being led into a secluded chamber within the Vatican, a place shrouded in secrecy and accessible only to a select few. Inside, she claims, were the bodies of former Popes, preserved in a state of cryogenic suspension. The room was filled with an eerie hum, the sound of machinery working tirelessly to maintain the subzero temperatures needed to keep the bodies intact. Bozzio’s voice reportedly trembled as she recounted the surreal atmosphere—the sight of these historical figures, frozen in time, their faces serene yet ghostly under the dim lights of the chamber.

“It was like something out of a dream, or maybe a nightmare,” Bozzio reportedly told Corgan. “The machines were humming, this low, constant drone, and there they were—Popes from centuries past, just… there. My relative was among them, and it was overwhelming. Frank was so calm about it, like he knew exactly what we were walking into.”

The idea of cryogenically preserved Popes raises countless questions. Why would the Vatican undertake such a practice? Is it a means of preserving sacred figures for future generations, or does it hint at some deeper, perhaps scientific or spiritual, agenda? Bozzio’s account offers no definitive answers, but her vivid description of the room and its mechanical heartbeat has captured the imagination of those who’ve heard the tale.

Frank Zappa: The Mentor Behind the Mystery

Central to Bozzio’s story is her deep admiration for Frank Zappa, whom she credits as both a mentor and a great friend. Zappa, a musical innovator known for his genre-defying compositions and sharp wit, was no stranger to pushing boundaries. His ability to secure access to such a secretive part of the Vatican, if true, speaks to his far-reaching influence and insatiable curiosity. Bozzio has often spoken of Zappa’s kindness and guidance, noting in her autobiography, Life Is So Strange – Missing Persons, Frank Zappa, Prince & Beyond, how he taught her to navigate the music world and embrace her unique voice.

In the context of this Vatican story, Zappa’s role adds an extra layer of intrigue. Was he merely facilitating a personal moment for Bozzio to connect with her heritage, or did his interest in the unconventional extend to exploring the Vatican’s hidden practices? Bozzio’s account suggests Zappa was unfazed by the experience, hinting that he may have had prior knowledge of the Vatican’s cryogenic chamber. This raises the tantalizing possibility that Zappa, ever the iconoclast, was drawn to the intersection of science, religion, and mystery.

A Story That Defies Belief—Yet Captivates

Bozzio’s claim, first highlighted in a 2022 interview and later amplified by posts on X, has elicited a range of reactions. Some dismiss it as an embellished anecdote, perhaps a product of the rock-and-roll lifestyle or a misinterpretation of what she saw. The Vatican has not publicly acknowledged any such cryogenic preservation program, and the lack of corroborating evidence fuels skepticism. Others, however, are captivated by the possibility that the Vatican, an institution steeped in centuries of secrecy, might harbor such an extraordinary secret. The idea of cryogenically frozen Popes aligns with speculative narratives about the Vatican’s hidden vaults, which have long been the subject of conspiracy theories and folklore.

Adding to the story’s allure is the setting of the interview itself. Billy Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman known for his own fascination with the esoteric, provided a fitting stage for Bozzio’s revelation. Corgan, who has explored themes of spirituality and mystery in his music, reportedly listened with rapt attention as Bozzio shared her tale. The conversation, part of Corgan’s podcast The Magnificent Others, underscores the unique bond between these two artists, both of whom have navigated the fringes of pop culture and emerged with stories that challenge convention.

What Does It All Mean?

Dale Bozzio’s Vatican revelation is a testament to the power of storytelling in music and the enduring mystique of the 1980s rock scene. Whether her account is a factual recounting, a vivid memory shaped by time, or a piece of artistic mythmaking, it invites us to ponder the boundaries of what’s possible. The Vatican, with its labyrinthine history and guarded secrets, is a fitting backdrop for such a tale. And Frank Zappa, the enigmatic genius who looms large in Bozzio’s life, seems the perfect guide into this strange, frozen world.

As fans of Missing Persons, Frank Zappa, or even Billy Corgan’s eclectic career, we’re left to wrestle with the questions Bozzio’s story raises. Could the Vatican truly be preserving its Popes in cryogenic stasis, as she claims? Or is this a glimpse into the vivid imagination of a rock star whose life has been anything but ordinary? One thing is certain: Dale Bozzio’s tale of the frozen Popes is a story that will linger, much like the eerie hum of that mysterious Vatican chamber.

Sources: Information drawn from posts on X and interviews referenced in web sources, including Dale Bozzio’s autobiography and discussions on The Magnificent Others podcast.