Pope Benedict honored at Vatican party on eve of feast day

Published: 2005-06-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A hymn sung by tenor Andrea Bocelli, a prayer recited by an Italian actor and a song and dance number performed by a choir from Ivory Coast marked the first "Party for the Pope" at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI appeared to enjoy the performances and the repeated chants of the crowd, "Viva il papa" (Long live the pope). He joined an estimated 7,000 people in the Vatican audience hall in applauding Bocelli, and he left his seat to greet the singer. The celebration June 28 -- the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the papacy's patron saints -- was organized by the religious orders and lay movements founded by St. Luigi Orione.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .