Among the admirers greeting Pope Francis on Saturday in Philadelphia, the last stop on his tour of the United States, will be American royalty. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is scheduled to perform that night for the pope at the Festival of Families concert, along the city's Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with a million people expected to attend.
This is sort of old hat for you - you've performed for many dignitaries and world leaders. Do these events ever make you nervous?
It's never old hat. I never take it for granted. If it's new, it's new. Every once in awhile there are butterflies. I wouldn't say anyone makes me nervous - just a tiny butterfly here and there.
You've said you'll be singing "Amazing Grace". Why that song?
Because "Amazing Grace" is universal. It's loved and appreciated by all faiths and, I expect that there will be a cross-section of faiths in the audience Saturday night.
Your father, the Rev C L Franklin, was a prominent civil rights activist and a Baptist preacher. What would he think of his daughter performing for the leader of the Catholic Church?
I think that he would be thrilled. My dad listened every Sunday to other faiths and other churches, other ministers, popes. He was a theologian himself.
What will you say to the pope if you have a moment to greet him personally?
I would just love to hear him speak on world peace. And I would like for him to meet my family, of course. I'm waiting - they'll let me know. He's had some kind of schedule, though, I'm telling you. But he's stepping right along. He looks like he's really, really, really enjoying it.
Are there specific aspects of Pope Francis's message that speak to you most?
His humility and his concern with people, how he refers to himself as the son of an immigrant - I'm most impressed with that. That just tells me that he remembers who he is and his person, and particularly, honoring his father: "I am the son of." And the fact that he is not overwhelmed by his title. He remembers where came from and who he is, as well as being the pope. There is greatness in humility, so I appreciate that.
© 2015 The New York Times News Service
