Broadway Composer Chosen for Francis' Visit to Madison Square Garden

"Imagine three popes using your music and to be alive for it." -Michael Valenti, Broadway composer chosen for a third time to play his music to present a pope to NYC.

A well-known Broadway composer, Michael Valenti, has been selected to play his music for a third time during a papal visit to New York City.

Valenti's "Processional for a Pontiff" will serenade the faithful at Madison Square Garden next Friday for a special Mass at Madison Square Garden during Pope Francis' first time visiting the country.

Valenti's music was also used for Pope John Paul II's visit on Oct. 7, 1995, and for Benedict XVI's on April 19, 2008.

It was 20 years ago that Valenti's eight-minute procession was written and played for Paul II's visit to Central Park. The Broadway composer told NBC 4 New York that the work had to span the length of time it took the pontiff to get from Fifth Avenue to the park's entrance.

"You feel like you're out of water," he said of Paul's visit.

"Imagine three popes using your music and to be alive for it," he added. 

Valenti is also well-known for his Broadway works in "Oh Brother!," "Clothes For a Summer Hotel," and a children's theatrical show of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

Pope Francis begins his U.S. visit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday then heads to New York on Thursday night. Francis will fly to Philadelphia next Saturday and wrap up the visit the following evening.

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