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Youth choir to join mourners after death of Pope

Sarah Turnnidge
BBC News, West of England
Jonathan Fido
BBC Radio Wiltshire
BBC A large group of children and young people, all wearing blue jeans and white t-shirts, dance and sing outside in a park. BBC
A group of 100 children are set to travel from Swindon to the Vatican

A choir which had been set to perform in the Vatican will instead join thousands of mourners following the death of Pope Francis.

Rhythmix Goa, based in Swindon, Wiltshire, had been due to perform in front of a crowd of 100,000 people after being selected by bishops to be part of the Jubilee of Teenagers from 25-27 April.

However, the musical event, designed as part of the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year celebrations, has been cancelled following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

Vance Gregory Machado, who started the choir in 2017, said the group would still travel to pay their respects. He added that the news was "very painful", but that the Pope's "legacy lives on".

Vance Gregory Machado pictured smiling slightly at the camera, with the blurred background of a park behind him. He has long black curly hair and is wearing a grey t-shirt with black stripes on the shoulders.
Vance Gregory Machado, founder of the choir, met Pope Francis in October

Mr Machado explained that he had been left "devastated" by Pope Francis' death, particularly after he had been given the chance to meet him in October.

He had asked the pontiff for "his blessings" for the choir to perform at the Jubilee celebration during the meeting.

Mr Machado described the moment of meeting the Pope as "absolutely beautiful" and the "best day of my life", adding: "He treated every decision with a lot of wisdom and love."

Rex Features Thousands of people stand in a large square with very grand buildings in the background. The people look very serious, and there are three nuns in the foreground holding rosary beads. Rex Features
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to the Vatican to mourn Pope Francis

His words mirror those of mourners around the world, with widespread tributes from worshippers and world leaders alike emerging since the news broke on Monday morning.

Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday - the same day as the now-cancelled musical celebration had been due to be held.

Mr Machado still plans to take the group of 100 children, supported by 110 parents, to the Vatican but they will instead form part of the crowd of mourners set to line the streets for the Pope's funeral.

"The children are a bit sad," Mr Machado said.

"But we still have our hopes high because Pope Francis wouldn't want any children to be disappointed because of his sad demise.

"He always wanted us to ascend the flame and keep the Catholic faith going."

The Jubilee, held every 25 years, is a significant date in the Catholic faith which sees pilgrims from around the world visit the Vatican and events held throughout the year.

It began on 24 December 2024 and ends on 6 January 2026.

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