Flonique Guimary

Darren Espanto recalls his performance dedicated to Pope Francis during his Manila visit

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Singer and <em>It’s Showtime</em> host Darren Espanto took to social media to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.</p><div> </div><p>On his Instagram page, Darren shared a clip of himself performing “Tell the World of His Love,” a song he sang during the Pope’s historic visit to the Philippines in 2015.</p><div> </div><p>“10 years ago, I had the privilege of singing for Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines. It was an honor to be chosen to sing for such a historical event,” Darren wrote in a caption.</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DItNXlkpOIz/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A15343616.599999964%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="981" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He added, “He’s made a huge impact on lives around the world. May he rest in peace.”</p><div> </div><p>According to ABS-CBN News, Darren’s performance took place at the University of Santo Tomas during the Interfaith Meeting and Encounter with the Youth, part of Pope Francis’ itinerary during his 2015 papal visit to the country.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="503" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/moXAM1UcRbA" title="Darren Espanto sings &quot;Tell The World Of His Love&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>In a previous interview with Rappler, Darren expressed how honored he felt being selected to perform for the leader of the Catholic Church.</p><div> </div><p>“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 expressed.</p><div> </div><p>He also reflected on how he regarded Pope Francis, saying, “Hope, relief, faith. The Pope is a symbol of kindness and humility.”</p><div> </div><p>Just today, Cardinal Kevin Farrell released a statement published by the Vatican on the death of the Argentine pontiff at the age of 88. He last made his appearance to the public at the Saint Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday this April 20.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,&quot; Cardinal Kevin Farrell said.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/21/pope-francis-beloved-lolo-kiko-to-filipinos-has-passed-away-vatican-1603" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Pope Francis, beloved ‘Lolo Kiko’ to Filipinos, has passed away: Vatican</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><div> </div><p>&quot;This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church,&quot; he added.</p><div> </div><p>Several Filipino celebrities also took to social media to mourn the Pope’s passing, including Angeline Quinto, Janice de Belen, Richard Yap, Ai Ai Delas Alas. Matteo Guidicelli, Awra Briguela, Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Karen Davila, Winwyn Marquez, Kristoffer Martin, Hero Angeles, and Celine Lim.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/21/celebrities-mourn-the-passing-of-pope-francis-1907?fbclid=IwY2xjawJzCsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp2a8fMPk8QnuCm9eFx7IBSllkZMKhsnDqROVSkltlNBNUYKq1VEm44W4YOr_aem_HxNN9uO7ve7-ywRWjVpWZA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> </strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/21/celebrities-mourn-the-passing-of-pope-francis-1907?fbclid=IwY2xjawJzCsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp2a8fMPk8QnuCm9eFx7IBSllkZMKhsnDqROVSkltlNBNUYKq1VEm44W4YOr_aem_HxNN9uO7ve7-ywRWjVpWZA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Celebrities mourn the passing of Pope Francis</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Singer Jamie Rivera, who also performed during the 2015 papal visit, shared her tribute on social media.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-17" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DItQVAVv8pu/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A17%2C%22os%22%3A15398100.199999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1107" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-17" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>“Thank you for serving as our beacon of faith and hope, Pope Francis 🕊 Let us keep our beloved Pope in our minds as we remember him as a steward of God&#x27;s love and compassion,” she wrote, accompanying a video of her performance of “We Are All God&#x27;s Children.”</p>

<p><b>Darren Espanto pays tribute to the late Pope Francis.</b></p>

Darren Espanto pays tribute to the late Pope Francis.

Darren Espanto recalls his performance dedicated to Pope Francis on his Manila visit

Darren Espanto recalls his performance dedicated to Pope Francis during his Manila visit: 'It was an honor to be chosen to sing for such a historical event'

Darren Espanto recalls his performance dedicated to Pope Francis during his Manila visit: 'It was an honor to be chosen to sing for such a historical event'

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Darren Espanto recalls his performance dedicated to Pope Francis during his Manila visit: 'It was an honor to be chosen to sing for such a historical event'

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published April 21, 2025 08:27 PM PHT

|

Updated April 21, 2025 08:37 PM PHT

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Darren Espanto

Pope Francis

Santo Papa

Jamie Rivera

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