Emily Clarke is still hoping for a late call-up to perform her song Papa Francis during the Papal visit to Ireland later this month. The Limerick lady was the first from Ireland to compose a song in his honour, almost four years ago.

Amid some controversy in relation to those chosen to perform for the Papal Mass and ceremonies in Dublin, Emily admits to a sense of disappointment, as she had already received a letter from the Vatican three years ago expressing gratitude on behalf of Pope Francis and stating that the Pontiff had been humbled by the sentiments of the song.

“I am delighted for Daniel O’Donnell and Nathan Carter, and I wish them well, and all the others who have been asked to be part of the celebrations too.

“I wrote the song Papa Francis long before a mention of a Papal Visit and before Ireland was allocated the World Meeting of Families. I wrote it sometime in the aftermath of his inauguration in 2013. I admired him from the outset and all that he stands for.

“I found it very emotional when I heard about him quietly leaving the Vatican in disguise on many nights and going out to tend to the poor on the streets of Rome. He is a man who shows real pastoral care and it is a true reflection of the kind of person he is. I love everything about him and what he stands for,” says Emily.

A song for the Pope

The song was recorded in Peter Maher’s Studios in Tipperary and is featured on a 13-track album of gospel and inspirational songs entitled Papa Francis.

“I sent a copy of it to the Vatican with a long letter explaining how I was moved by the new Pope and saying he was a great leader for our time. I also included some nice words about my native Limerick and wondered if he ever decided to come to Ireland would he consider putting Limerick on his itinerary,” Emily recalls.

“Almost three weeks later – and much to my surprise – I got a lovely letter of acknowledgment from the Vatican saying his Holiness was very thankful for the song and was humbled by the sentiments. That was so important to me.

“Roll on two and a half years and the announcement that Pope Francis was coming to Ireland. People who knew I wrote the song came to me, including people from our local 95FM in Limerick, and they asked me to do an interview,” she says.

“When I mentioned I had received a letter from the Vatican endorsing the sentiments of the song, the whole thing took wings from there. Soon afterwards I found myself heading a campaign to try and bring Pope Francis to Limerick during his Irish visit.”

Emily, who has been associated with the music scene in the midwest region for many years and who now performs her own solo shows in the area, says she has met amazing people all along this campaign and she would gladly do it all over again.

“There are times when you fervently hope that things will go your way, and it is human to feel some disappointment at times too. I felt that because the Pope had heard the song and liked it that I should have been given the chance to sing it for him,” she laments.

“I would like to thank all the people who rallied behind me, as well as all the radio stations that have played the song and lent support. I wish all associated with the World Meeting of Families the best of luck, and I am sure it will be a huge success. And I wish Pope Francis health and happiness. He truly is an inspirational leader in the world today,” Emily concludes.