Mr Handa Visits Rome

MR HANDA VISITS ROME

	Mr Haruhisa Handa leads a choir of 30 Japanese singers in the performance of two new songs specially composed for Pope John Paul 11. The new Ave Maria and Kyrie Ellison were composed by Mr Handa and sung in Latin in St Peter's Square in September 1999 before an estimated audience of 60,000 pilgrims.
The Japanese choir rehearses before the imposing facade of St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
	Rehearsal makes it perfect.
The Japanese choir with Mr Handa were enthusiastically received by the huge crowd as they rehearsed their specially composed new religious songs for the Pontiff of the Catholic Church in Rome.
	Mr Handa meets the Pope after the performance.
The Pope is serenaded by the Tokyo choir and Mr Haruhisa Handa before the doors of St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
	Possibly the most unusual gift the Pope has ever received on the steps of St Peter's - the respect and talent of the Japanese choir, two new sacred songs and a flutter of fans.
The formal photograph with the Pontiff expressing his delight for the talent and thoughtfulness of the performers from Japan and their beautifully presented performance in St Peter's Square in Rome in September 1999.