[She was the first pop singer to perform for a Pope.] And a woman at that. Apparently Pope John Paul II and his boys -- is that what you call them? -- loved one of my songs and thought I was puting spiritual messages in my music. I'm not religious as such. Dogma and I don't get along. They knew all that, but the Pope was celebrating 50 years as a priest, and he asked for me. Quite an audience -- bishops, cardinals, a handful of nuns -- and me, covered from neck to ankles.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- She recounts performing for a Pope despite not being religious, noting the irony and her appearance.
- In plain terms
- She performed for a Pope even though she isn't religious.
- What can you take from it?
- Artists can bridge gaps between secular and sacred spaces.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can you participate in events conflicting with your beliefs?
- How do you handle public expectations?
Another view
It assumes a strict divide between religious and secular identity.
More from Gloria Estefan
I cannot imagine a world without music. It would be . . . well, I cannot imagine it.
Permalink to quote #33 [I would like to be] one of [the first pop singers to perform in a free Cuba]. I know the list is huge. And it would be hard to pull off -- I'd have a lump as …
Permalink to quote #35 The last thing I wanted to do was put politics into my music . . . because music was my escape.
Permalink to quote #32
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