Pope Francis Staff reporter
Pope Francis’ representative in Ireland has revealed he was the host of a rock ‘n’ roll radio show during his time in college.
Speaking on RTÉ Lyric fm recently, Archbishop Charles Brown confessed he hosted a “very short lived and not very successful” rock ‘n’ roll show on WSND-FM at the University of Notre Dame du Lac in Indiana.
The papal nuncio admitted, however, that because the programme was aired so early on Saturday mornings he doubted anybody listened to it.
“Full disclosure compels me to say that this show was broadcast at seven or 7.30 in the morning on Saturday. Like, how many university are listening to the radio at seven o’clock or 7.30 unless they are coming home from the party? But by that point most of them are already in bed,” he said.
Asked about his own musical interests, Archbishop Brown said he regularly listens to contemporary pop music and is a fan of rock band Noah and the Whale.
Dr Brown said Pope Francis was encouraging priests to “go out of the churches” and to “engage”.
He insisted “part of that engagement is the engagement with the world of culture, the world of art, the word of music, the world of literature”.
“That is an important element in the Church’s outreach,” he said.