Yonkers, N.Y., Apr 20, 2008 / 09:24 am (CNA).- Kelly Clarkson, of American Idol fame, performed the “Ave Maria” as the concluding hymn for the Holy Father’s visit with youth at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in New York on Saturday evening.

She belted out the traditional version of the “Ave Maria” in multiple languages as a cross sectional representation of the crowd present. The Holy Father took a moment to greet her after her performance.

The crowd was charged by Kelly Clarkson’s rendition of the Marian hymn.

After the song, the Holy Father proceeded to greet youth at the ends of the platform. The crowds wildly waved yellow and white handkerchiefs as a greeting to the Holy Father.

The seminarians and religious novices of the Archdiocese of New York were all visibly thrilled at the presence of the Pope. They loudly sang the litany of the saints and the Lord’s Prayer in song with Pope Benedict XVI, led by an accomplished youth cantor from the movement “Communion and Liberation”.

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