‘Pope Idol’ Hits the UK

If their prayers are answered, Universal's latest signing will be a troupe of singing nuns.

With the UK's first Papal visit in nearly three decades, planned for September, A&R man Tom Lewis who works for Universal owned Decca Records, thought it would be the ideal time to record an album of plainsong and chant and who better to perform it than the nation's very own talented nuns. "When you hear the sound of nuns chanting, it's like an immediate escape from the challenges, stresses, pace and noise of modern living," Lewis said, according to Britain's the Telegraph. He added: "You're given a glimpse of another world — a world of peace and calm."

Whilst nuns might not be a regular feature in the music charts, the record label has achieved success in the past with other religious themed signings. The Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz from Vienna, released a platinum selling album in 2008 which reached the top of the classical charts at the time. "This is a genuine appeal to find what you could call a Sister Act for the 21st century," said Decca general manager Mark Wilkinson.

Three words: Whoopi Goldberg. Cameo.

Amazing.

Photo by Michel Dignand via Flickr.