DARREN Espanto, who had the rare honor of performing for Pope Francis during his 2015 Philippine visit, posted a touching tribute online following news of the pontiff’s passing.
On Instagram, Darren posted a video of his rendition of “Tell the World of His Love”—the very song he performed during the pontiff’s unforgettable visit.
“10 years ago, I had the privilege of singing for Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines,” shared Darren.
“It was an honor to be chosen to sing for such a historical event. He’s made a huge impact on lives around the world. May he rest in peace,” he added.
In 2015, Darren sang before a youthful crowd at the University of Santo Tomas, during an interfaith gathering that was among the key events in Pope Francis’ Philippine visit.
He was with fellow performers Angeline Quinto, Jed Madela, and Jamie Rivera who also sang during the service.
“It’s an honor to sing for the Pope, because singing for the Pope is like singing for God. It’s truly an experience that I will treasure,” Darren shared in a 2015 interview with Rappler, reflecting on the moment.
“Hope, relief, faith,” he said when asked about his impression of Pope Francis. “He is a symbol of kindness and humility.”
