The Pope Jams To Aretha Franklin, and Then Has To Forgive Mark Wahlberg [Video]

Looks like Pope Francis may be an Aretha Franklin fan. Aretha sang “Amazing Grace” at the Pope’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Saturday night, and the pontiff could clearly be seen sitting forward in his chair with a huge smile on his face. 

To be fair, the Ponitff also seemed baffled by the whole thing at first, but he got into it later (see video below).

Aretha also performed Puccini’s “Nessum Dorma” with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, but that was at the end of the show and the Pope had already left.

Aretha told Showbiz 411 she was disappointed the Pope didn’t get to see both of her performances, but adds that meeting him was overwhelming. She even got to give Pope Francis a gift, a set of sermons by her late father, Reverend C.L. Franklin.

The event was emceed by actor Mark Wahlberg, who seemed embarrassed when a young performer told him he loved 'Ted', Wahlberg's rauchy comedy about a talking stuffed bear. Wahlberg immediately asked for forgiveness from the Holy Father, who probably granted it for 'Ted' but not for the 'Funky Bunch', Mark's pop band.

And, just for the fun of it, here's a spoof video of Pope Francis running through Philadelphia like Rocky.