Pope Francis

Pasadena school choir reflects on cherished memories of singing for Pope Francis

By
Monday, April 21, 2025
Members of the St. Andrew School Children's Choir in Pasadena recently traveled to Rome to sing for Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica. The students were struck by the pope's warmth and kindness.
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- As people around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, a Pasadena school choir is reflecting on their cherished memories of the pontiff.

Members of the St. Andrew School Children's Choir in Pasadena recently traveled to Rome to sing for Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica.

"Singing for the pope made my faith grow more and just being in his presence was a blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime moment, because a lot of people don't experience that," said Amiyah Lawrence, a member of the choir.

The students and their choir director were struck by the pope's warmth and kindness.

"He is really one of the great heroes of the current world...and I was delighted that we had the chance to meet with him," said Patrick Flahive, the choir director. "He was very gracious, very loving with his gazes for the children, waving at them, reaching out and allowing them to touch his hand, shake his hands."

Watch Amy Powell's full report above.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis Through the Years
Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.AP
Pope Francis waves faithfuls after celebrating over New Year's Eve Vespers and Te Deum, in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.AP
Pope Francis presides over New Year's Eve Vespers and Te Deum celebrations, in St.Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.AP
Pope Francis waves before delivering the Urbi et Orbi Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024.AP
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2016 file photo, Pope Francis poses for a selfie during a Jubilee audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.AP
FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis carries his coat and documents as he leaves after a morning session of the last day of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican.AP
Pope Francis, left, talks to Cardinal Tarciso Bertone on a bus at the end of a week of Lenten spiritual retreat in Ariccia, in the hills overlooking Rome, Feb. 27, 2015.AP
FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2015 file photo, Pope Francis shakes hands with a Vatican Swiss guard as he leaves after a morning session of the Synod of bishops, at the Vatican.AP
Pope Francis looks at the Argentine soccer major league's trophy at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.AP
Pope Francis leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.AP
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013.AP
Pope Francis waves to pilgrims from his popemobile as he arrives to the Aparecida Basilica in Aparecida, Brazil, Wednesday, July 24, 2013.AP
Mexico City newspapers display front page pictures and headlines featuring the newly elected Pope Francis, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 14, 2013.AP
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announces the newly elected Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.AP
A worshiper holds up the front page of a magazine showing a photograph of Jorge Mario Bergoglio during celebrations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, March 13, 2013.AP
FILE - Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio walks in St. Peter's Square after attending a cardinals' meeting, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 6, 2013.AP
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, right, on Wednesday March 6, 2013.AP
FILE - Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio walks in St. Peter's Square after attending a cardinals' meeting, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 6, 2013.AP
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2013, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, leads a Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina.AP
FILE - Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio leading a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.none
FILE - Argentina's cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, right, blesses a young man during a Mass at the 21-24 chapel in the Barracas neighborhood, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 8, 2012.AP
In this March 21 2011 photo, Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio touches a baby after a Mass in Buenos Aires, Argentina.none
FILE - This Aug. 7, 2009 file photo shows Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio giving a mass outside the San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires.AP
This Aug. 7, 2009 file photo shows Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, right, giving a mass outside San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires.AP
FILE - In this 2008 file photo, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, second from left, travels on the subway in Buenos Aires, Argentina.AP
FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2008 file photo, Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez, left, shakes hands with Buenos Aires' archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Lujan, Argentina.AP
FILE - Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, celebrating a Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II at the Buenos Aires Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 4, 2005.AP
The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio leads a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.AP
The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio leads a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.AP
FILE - This April 18, 2005 file photo shows Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio during a Mass to elect the new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.AP
FILE - This April 18, 2005 file photo shows Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio during a Mass to elect the new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.AP
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Catholic Archbishop of Buenos Aires, celebrates a Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II, Apr 3, 2005.AP
Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, right, and Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday April 18, 2005.AP
In this 2000 photo, Argentina's Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio speaks during a Mass in the 31 slum in honor of slain priest Carlos Mugica, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.AP
In this 2000 photo, Argentina's Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio speaks during a Mass in the 31 slum in honor of slain priest Carlos Mugica, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.AP
FILE - This Aug. 8, 2000 file photo shows Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, celebrating a Mass in Buenos Aires.AP
Pope John Paul II greets the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio at the Vatican on June 29, 1998.AP


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