U2 guitarist The Edge makes history as he rocks Sistine Chapel for cancer

VATICAN CITY - Reuters

REUTERS photo

The Edge, lead guitarist with the Irish band U2, has become the first rock star to play in the Sistine Chapel, a venue he described as "the most beautiful parish hall in the world." 

The performer, whose real name is David Evans, sang four songs on the night of April 30 for about 200 doctors, researchers and philanthropists who attended a conference at the Vatican on regenerative medicine called Cellular Horizons. 

Backed by a choir of seven Irish teenagers, and wearing his trademark black beanie cap, he played acoustic guitar and sang a cover of Leonard Cohen's "If it be your will", and versions of U2 songs "Yahweh", "Ordinary love" and "Walk on". 

The Edge, whose father died last month from cancer and whose daughter overcame leukaemia, is on the board of foundations working for cancer prevention. 

He joked with his audience, telling them he was stunned when asked to play in the chapel which was painted by Renaissance master Michelangelo in the 16th century. 

"When they asked me if I wanted to become the first contemporary artist to play in the Sistine Chapel, I didn't know what to say because usually there's this other guy who sings," the musician said, referring to U2 front man Bono. 

"Being Irish you learn very early that if you want to be asked to come back it's very important to thank the local parish  priest for the loan of the hall," he said. 

He then thanked Pope Francis and other Vatican officials "for allowing us to use the most beautiful parish hall in the world". 

The Edge dedicated his performance of "Walk on", written in 2000 for Myanmar democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi when she was under house arrest, to Pope Francis, who he described as "the people's pope". 

"He's doing an amazing job and long may he continue," he added. 

The rock star sprinkled his address with technical terms such as bio markers and angiogenesis. 

"I can tell this is a really cool audience because normally when I say angiogenesis eyes glaze over," he said. Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels, which tumours need to grow, are formed. Scientists are seeking ways to block tumour angiogenesis. 

The Vatican conference, which was addressed by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on April 29, was organised by the U.S.-based Stem for Life Foundation to share ideas and treatments on the use of adult stem cells to cure rare diseases.