U2's The Edge Performed Historic Acoustic Set at Vatican's Sistine Chapel

The Edge of U2 made history this week when he performed at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, making him the first rock n' roll artist to ever do so. The guitarist's historic acoustic set included stripped down versions of U2's "Yahweh," "Ordinary World," and "Walk On." The Edge also performed Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will." Watch video footage of the performances below.

The Vatican asked him to perform, instead of U2's lead singer, Bono.

"When they asked me if I wanted to become the first contemporary artist to play in the Sistine Chapel, I didn't know what to say because usually there's this other guy who sings," he jokes, referring to his bandmate, according to Reuters. "Being Irish you learn very early that if you want to be asked to come back it's very important to thank the local parish priest for the loan of the hall."

The Edge performed during a conference on regenerative medicine to cure cancer, according to the YouTube video description.

"I can tell this is a really cool audience because normally when I say angiogenesis eyes glaze over," he said of the medical issue.

He added: "[Pope Francis is] doing an amazing job and long may he continue."

The Edge also called him, "the people's pope."

You can watch the footage from the performance, featuring The Edge and members of an Irish choir in the Sistine Chapel (via Pitchfork):

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U2, The Edge