She won Pop Idol in 2003 – now Scots singing star Michelle McManus is Pope Idol after sharing a stage with Pope Leo to perform a new hymn in Rome.
The singer was chosen to perform for the pontiff with the debut of a new hymn to mark the 60th anniversary of aid charity SCIAF.
Michelle visited Rome weeks ago to perform the new song written by Iona-based hymnwriter Rev John Bell, entitled Because, to a select audience of guests – including Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It caps one of the most successful years of her career since winning the ITV talent show in 2003, coming three months after she performed with Robbie Williams at Murrayfield – and weeks before she makes a guest appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Michelle said: ‘Singing with Robbie at Murrayfield this summer was electric, but singing on stage with the Pope was something else altogether.
‘It was so emotional. I wasn’t nervous at all when I got on stage with Robbie. But I was so nervous with the Pope because right up until the last minute I was still thinking it wasn’t going to happen.Â
From Pop Idol to Pope Idol! Scottish singer Michelle McManus has shared the stage with Pope Leo as she performed a new hymn in Rome
It caps one of the most successful years of her career since winning the ITV talent show in 2003 (pictured)Â coming three months after she performed with Robbie Williams at Murrayfield
‘My heart was racing out my chest and I had to really work to keep my breathing under control.’
Michelle says her performance in the Holy Father’s private palace at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome was made all the more surreal when she realised who the next guest on the stage was after her.
She was invited to represent the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund at the 10th Anniversary Laudato Si’ Conference.
She said: ‘I was thinking as I was singing, “that guy over there looks awful like Arnold Schwarzenegger.” And seconds after I’ve finished, he’s up on the stage saying, “I’m going to terminate pollution.”
‘It was an unbelievable experience.’
The performance will be screened as part of new documentary Michelle’s Road to Rome for BBC Scotland and BBC2, to be shown next Easter.
It’s not Michelle’s first performance for the figurehead of the Catholic church, having sung for Pope Benedict at Bellahouston Park as part of his UK visit in 2010.
She said: ‘When I sang for Pope Benedict it was a huge event, in front of 80,000 people. But I couldn’t really see the Pope, whereas I was standing right next to Pope Leo on stage, this man with the hope of so many Catholics resting on his shoulders.’
Michelle said: ‘Singing with Robbie at Murrayfield this summer was electric, but singing on stage with the Pope was something else altogether’ (pictured with Robbie)
‘It was so emotional. I wasn’t nervous at all when I got on stage with Robbie. But I was so nervous with the Pope because right up until the last minute I was still thinking it wasn’t going to happen’
 She added: ‘My heart was racing out my chest and I had to really work to keep my breathing under control’
The performance will be screened as part of new documentary Michelle’s Road to Rome for BBC Scotland and BBC2, to be shown next Easter
Michelle says her performance in the Holy Father’s private palace at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome was made all the more surreal when she realised who the next guest on the stage was
She added: ‘This is completely different from any performance I have ever done. I speak in the programme about the challenges I have with my faith in terms of women’s roles in the church and the LGBTIQ+ community, which doesn’t sit well with me at all.
‘But I go to mass every Sunday and I am a practicing Catholic. The Pope means a lot to me as he does to millions of others.’
Michelle’s latest appointment with the pontiff also continues a family tradition.
She said: ‘My gran also sang for Pope John Paul II in the choir, when he came to Glasgow in 1982, then I sang for Pope Benedict and then Pope Leo.
‘It was the experience of a lifetime. My first time in Rome, my first visit to St Peter’s Basilica, and then to sing for the Holy Father. I’ll never forget it.’
The singer will release the new hymn, which was recorded at Gorbals sound in Glasgow and produced by Tommy Chambers, featuring a selection of Scottish choirs.
Michelle said: ‘Maybe my boys will be singing it when I’m not here, and maybe my grandkids.’
And the Radio Scotland presenter teased that her forthcoming appearance in Drag Race will be another surprise in her eventful year.
She said: ‘It’ll be an absolute corker. People are going to see a totally different side to me. None of these things were on my bingo card for 2025.’
