What Did Aretha Franklin Hand Over to Pope Francis?

[Aretha Franklin and Pope Francis}

Preacher’s kid and soul music legend Aretha Franklin got the opportunity to meet and even handoff of something to Pope Francis during his first visit to the United States.

Here’s what Franklin had to say about meeting the man known as “The People’s Pope.”

“It was a true and so special honor to meet Pope Francis,” said Aretha Franklin. “We shook hands and I gave him a gift of 25 volumes of sermons by my father, Theologian Rev. C.L. Franklin. He asked me to pray for him as he did others during his time in America. I curtsied and His Holiness left the room for the Festival of Families event. His interpreter and secret service were there.”

“Significant time had passed before I was introduced to sing. I had no idea he was sitting right behind me so that I could acknowledge him. Again, it was a true honor.”