Michelle McManus: Singing to Pope was 'one of the greatest honours of my life'

BBC Scotland’s new documentary Michelle McManus Sings for the Pope, follows the singer and broadcaster on a deeply personal journey of faith, music and purpose.

The film captures Ms McManus as she embarks on an emotional pilgrimage from Glasgow to Rome to perform a newly written hymn inspired by the previous pontiff - Pope Francis’s - call to care for the planet. Cameras follow the singer as she records the hymn in Scotland, reconnects with the Catholic faith of her childhood, and finally steps onto the world stage in Italy.

The programme culminates with Ms McManus performing the hymn at the Palace of Castel Gandolfo before a global audience, and Pope Leo, at the 10th Anniversary Laudato Si’ Conference.

Written by Rev John L Bell of Scotland’s Iona Community for the 60th anniversary of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), the hymn Because is a spiritual anthem born from Laudato Si', Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical urging humanity to protect creation.

Ms McManus said: “It was such a privilege to be asked by SCIAF to sing the beautiful new hymn ‘Because’ to celebrate sixty years of the organisation. Then to have the opportunity to take the hymn to Rome to represent Scotland at The Raising Hope Conference for the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’ with The Pope in attendance was truly one of the greatest honours of my life.”

Steve Allen, BBC Scotland’s commissioning executive, said: “This powerful documentary follows Michelle on a deeply personal journey of faith and music, making it perfect viewing for Easter. It’s a moving and uplifting programme, and I’m delighted that audiences will be able to experience Michelle’s remarkable journey.”

In 2010, Scottish singer Susan Boyle performed at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland, during the Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to the UK, singing How Great Thou Art.

The documentary will be broadcast at Easter.