By Seamie Briscoe

The death, which was announced this morning, of Pope Francis has brought back wonderful memories for the members of the Drogheda Male Voice Choir who had the honour of singing at his Papal Audience in St Peter's Square when they visited Rome and the Vatican in 2018.

The Drogheda Choir's trip was to commemorate the occasion of the retirement of Drogheda Christian Brother, Christopher Kierans, who had spent over 40 years in the Vatican catering for foreign delegations.

More than 80 Drogheda people travelled to Rome with the choir and all of them were looking forward to the Papal Audience in St Peter's Square and hoping they would get to see Pope Francis at close quarters. None of them could ever imagine what was to follow on the morning of the Papal audience.

The security at the Vatican was ultra tight and the announcement of the main choir to sing at the Papal Audience did not take place until the previous night for security reasons. The choir were invited to perform in the Franciscan church of St Petra the evening before the Papal Audience whereupon their Musical Director, Mr David Leddy, received the special letter from the Vatican, informing the choir they were to be the main choral participants for Pope Francis.

As David Leddy explains; "This was a huge honour for Drogheda and the choir, to be chosen to sing in front of an audience of 80,000 people. When I look back and think of the wonderful singers, such as the late Owen Rafferty who also sang for Pope John Paul 11 in 1979 at Killineer to once again sing for the Pope, this time in St Peter's Square. There was great anticipation and excitement among all the lads".  

When the choir received their briefing from Vatican security officials, the burning question was, would they get to meet the Pontiff. The answer was an emphatic, NO! They were informed that this was something that never happens. The non choral members of the group were escorted to a VIP area which was adjacent to the Pope's podium. The choir were placed under the statue of St Peter which was pride of place just below Pope Francis.

What occurred at the end of the Papal Blessing was unprecedented at Papal audiences. The Holy Father walked down from his podium and went among the members of the choir to shake hands and speak with them and posed in front of the worlds press photographers for numerous pictures with the choir. This was an unforgettable experience which again is explained by David Leddy;

"We were not expecting this at all and when he walked up to me with his outstretched hand I was dumbfounded. I introduced him to the choir and he chatted freely to us all".

Former chairman and now President of the Drogheda MVC, Richard Cooney, also recalls; "At that time there was to be a Papal visit to Ireland and we did our best to persuade him to come to Drogheda.

“He was so friendly and I remember him asking us all to pray for him. It was something that was very special for all of us and, we were told that under no circumstances, would this happen. It resulted in huge respect and admiration for Pope Francis and we are extremely sad to learn of his passing.

“The few unexpected moments he shared with us will remain in our reverie for the rest of our lives and was an extreme honour for ourselves and our town".

The Drogheda MVC also sang at the residence of the Pope in Castlegondolfo on the next day on the invitation of the Mayor.