0:00:06 > 0:00:07Welcome to Songs Of Praise
0:00:07 > 0:00:10from the magnificent St Peter's Square in the Vatican,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12home to the Holy Father, Pope Francis,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16and a place of pilgrimage for millions of visitors to Rome.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17But I'm not here to sightsee.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20I'm here for a very special sporting occasion -
0:00:20 > 0:00:23a game of interdenominational cricket.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25The Archbishop of Canterbury's team
0:00:25 > 0:00:27have been invited by the Pope's St Peter's XI
0:00:27 > 0:00:30to come and pray and play together and as a big cricket fan,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33this is one game I didn't want to miss.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Whilst in Rome, I meet the first ever British member
0:00:38 > 0:00:41of the oldest choir in the world, the Sistine Chapel Choir.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46And, as BBC's Children in Need is just around the corner,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49we're in Gloucester to see how a children's charity help with
0:00:49 > 0:00:53the challenge of raising a disabled child.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55"'No,' said the three little pigs."
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Do you want me to read it again now?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08And, as always, we have some beautiful music,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11including a hymn from Canterbury Cathedral.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13And, as today is All Saints' Day,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17what better way to begin than with the beautiful Holy, Holy, Holy?
0:01:18 > 0:01:24# Holy, holy, holy!
0:01:24 > 0:01:29# Lord God Almighty!
0:01:29 > 0:01:33# Early in the morning
0:01:33 > 0:01:39# Our song shall rise to thee
0:01:39 > 0:01:44# Holy, holy, holy!
0:01:44 > 0:01:49# Merciful and mighty!
0:01:49 > 0:01:55# God in three persons
0:01:55 > 0:01:59# Blessed Trinity!
0:04:09 > 0:04:13We're in Rome at a significant time, at the end of the Catholic Synod,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17when bishops from around the world have been discussing family issues.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Pope Francis seems keen to reach out and build bridges between Christians.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24The current friendship between him
0:04:24 > 0:04:26and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30means that there's a chance for closer ties between the two churches.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36A game of cricket represents the perfect opportunity to cement
0:04:36 > 0:04:39that friendship further, and that's why this lot, the Archbishop
0:04:39 > 0:04:43of Canterbury's XI, are here to play the Pope's St Peter's team.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Are you ready, boys? ALL: Howzat?!
0:04:49 > 0:04:53The story began in September last year, when the Pope's team
0:04:53 > 0:04:57made its debut when they took on the Anglicans in Canterbury.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00It's just got the most marvellous atmosphere.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04It's the most brilliant bit of ecumenism I've seen in years.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Back then, the Archbishop's team came out victorious.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Now they're in Rome for the return match.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Before the players square up to one another on the pitch,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14there's a chance to meet socially.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The teams have been invited to the oldest English institution
0:05:17 > 0:05:21outside the UK, the Venerable English College,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24which has a tradition of welcoming pilgrims to the city.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30It is a great honour for us as a Vatican team
0:05:30 > 0:05:33to honour the English team for the Anglican.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Sport's a narrative which everybody universally can enjoy
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and get together and it's just the...the camaraderie,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42the friendships that are forged through sport.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44There's competition that unites
0:05:44 > 0:05:46as well as, you know, people wanting to win.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49MUSIC: Soul Limbo by Booker T and the MGs
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The day of the match, and the sun is out.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56The Anglican team win the toss and choose to field.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Each team will bat 20 overs.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Now, the Italians may not be famous for being cricketers
0:06:02 > 0:06:05but the Vatican team is made up of seminarians from countries
0:06:05 > 0:06:08such as Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Australia
0:06:08 > 0:06:11who are in Rome to train for the priesthood.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I know the Pope is aware of this match.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15Has he blessed you in this? Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20He blessed us and simply he told only one thing - "Go ahead."
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It was very encouraging.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Managing the Vatican team is Father Eamonn O'Higgins.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Your team are all wearing these fabulous jackets
0:06:30 > 0:06:32with this embossed emblem.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Can you explain a bit about that?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Yes, the colour means that we're visible about two miles away.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But in fact the yellow is the traditional colour
0:06:39 > 0:06:41of the papal flag, yellow and white. Yes.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44That's why we have the blazer.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49What's happening today is a sign to politicians, to world leaders...
0:06:49 > 0:06:50APPLAUSE
0:06:50 > 0:06:55..that true, authentic religious experience unites,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57it does not divide.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The Right Reverend Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04is the manager of the Anglican XI.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08What is being achieved that would be more difficult to achieve
0:07:08 > 0:07:09sitting round a table and chatting?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Well, it's something about your whole humanity,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14and I think it's like being a child again.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17And Jesus said, you know, become like little children.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21And if we're being children we're just being who we are,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and you just relate easily.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26We're not thinking that people come with all this baggage,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28they're Roman Catholic or Protestant or what have you.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33They're human beings, we're playing a game, they're my friends.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34SHOUTED APPEALS
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Oh-ho-ho! This is an exciting game!
0:07:38 > 0:07:40While it's in full swing, let's have a hymn.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42This one asks an important question -
0:07:42 > 0:07:45who is on the Lord's side?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Welcome back to the cricket. You rejoin us at a very tense moment.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15What's the score, guys? Just gone past 50. Yeah? But we've just lost another wicket.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18It's going to be a real test of your Christian spirit, isn't it?!
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Has it become more than just a game of cricket? Yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23With these lads out here, these Vatican boys,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25it's become a friendship, it's become a walking together,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27it's become an act of unity,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31and it's become something more important than cricket.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Now news of a different type of contest, because there's only
0:10:34 > 0:10:37two weeks left to enter the School Choir of the Year competition.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42The closing date - and there's another wicket - is November 14.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44If you think your choir's got what it takes,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48get all the information from the Songs Of Praise website:
0:10:51 > 0:10:54As well as the information there'll be full terms and conditions.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58And just to remind you how angelic our children's choirs can sound,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00have a listen to this.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08# I've gotta home in glory land that out-shines the sun
0:11:08 > 0:11:17# I've gotta home in glory land that out-shines the sun
0:11:17 > 0:11:21# Way beyond the blue
0:11:22 > 0:11:36# Do Lord, O, do Lord O do remember me
0:11:36 > 0:11:39# Way beyond the blue
0:11:46 > 0:11:49# I've gotta home in glory land that out-shines the sun
0:11:49 > 0:11:50# Gotta home in glory land
0:11:50 > 0:11:53# She gotta home, she gotta home
0:11:53 > 0:11:55# She gotta home in glory land
0:11:55 > 0:12:00# I've gotta home in glory land that out-shines the sun
0:12:00 > 0:12:04# Way beyond the blue
0:12:05 > 0:12:20# Do Lord, O, do Lord O do remember me
0:12:20 > 0:12:23# Way beyond the blue
0:12:29 > 0:12:32# I've gotta home in glory land that out-shines the sun
0:12:32 > 0:12:44# In glory land
0:12:44 > 0:12:48# Way beyond the blue
0:12:49 > 0:13:03# Do Lord, O, do Lord O do remember me
0:13:03 > 0:13:06# Way beyond the blue
0:13:07 > 0:13:21# Do Lord, O, do Lord O do remember me
0:13:21 > 0:13:25# Way beyond the blue. #
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It's great to see children singing and enjoying themselves.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40And there'll be more fun to be had and good to be done later this month
0:13:40 > 0:13:43when once again Children In Need hits our screens.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Each year, your generosity raises millions for children
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and their families all over the UK.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52We went to Gloucester to meet a family who benefits from
0:13:52 > 0:13:55one charity that's supported by the money you donate.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Ellie has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Her dad Simon gave up his job to look after her.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07For Simon, a former administrator,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11coming to terms with his daughter's disability has changed his life.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16While his wife goes out to work during the day, Simon stays at home,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19studying towards becoming a priest and caring for Ellie.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21She started having these funny episodes
0:14:21 > 0:14:24that we then discovered were seizures.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27We ended up going down to Bristol Children's Hospital
0:14:27 > 0:14:30and she ended up staying there for about three months.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37I think that time, and the time that I have with Ellie at home,
0:14:37 > 0:14:42that's a real sort of foundation to my faith and to my spirituality
0:14:42 > 0:14:47because it gives me the space and the time to sort of think
0:14:47 > 0:14:52and reflect, and to explore silence. Because Ellie doesn't communicate.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56She can't speak. She's very still and very peaceful.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Today is a good example of how Ellie can be
0:15:01 > 0:15:05because she's not been very well. She's had temperatures,
0:15:05 > 0:15:06and whenever she has a temperature,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10she will slip into having seizures and become very unstable.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Older sister Sophie has a very special bond with Ellie.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I like reading her stories
0:15:19 > 0:15:24and I like trying to get her to react
0:15:24 > 0:15:27with toys and stuff.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Sophie absolutely dotes on Ellie. She loves her to bits.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33"'No,' said the three little pigs. The wolf huffed and puffed
0:15:33 > 0:15:37"but he could not blow the brick house down."
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Do you want me to read it again, El? Yeah?
0:15:40 > 0:15:43She often writes her cards and notes, especially
0:15:43 > 0:15:45if she's been in hospital.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Yeah, they do have a very good relationship.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Did you like that story, El?
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Thankfully, Ellie's family doesn't have to cope alone.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58The James Hopkins Trust is a Gloucestershire-based charity
0:15:58 > 0:16:01supporting life-limited, life-threatened
0:16:01 > 0:16:03and severely disabled children.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06A recent grant from Children In Need has helped them
0:16:06 > 0:16:10to provide more overnight respite care.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Ellie was too poorly to travel on the day that we filmed.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16She'd get support from the James Hopkins Trust
0:16:16 > 0:16:18for four hours each week.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20And then for the overnight care,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23we try and get something booked in every few months,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25so one night every few months.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28And there's so many families that need support
0:16:28 > 0:16:34that it's hard to have that support more frequently than that.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37This means we can actually give Sophie
0:16:37 > 0:16:41an exciting day out that she wouldn't have had otherwise.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Simon's faith continues to develop
0:16:46 > 0:16:49as he studies and helps to care for Ellie.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54Hopefully I'll be able to bring that experience into ministry,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57into the way I can hopefully connect
0:16:57 > 0:17:00with other people and their situation.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05It can be very isolating, being in the situation as we are.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08So having the overnight care, that's hugely important
0:17:08 > 0:17:13because we can sleep.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Because Ellie's being looked after,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and we don't need to worry about trying to settle her.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22If she went more times then I think
0:17:22 > 0:17:26we wouldn't be as stressed as we sometimes are when she is ill.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33You can help Children In Need support more young people like Ellie
0:17:33 > 0:17:35and their families by...
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Let's sing together, My Hope Is Built.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01With trumpets now.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19CHEERING
0:20:25 > 0:20:28As a singer, I've had the privilege of performing
0:20:28 > 0:20:30in some pretty spectacular settings,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32and sometimes to very important people.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35But I can only dream of what it would be like to sing
0:20:35 > 0:20:37regularly for the Pope himself.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Well, for one young man from London, that dream has come true.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47# Miserere mei, Deus... #
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Mark Spyropoulos is the first full-time British member
0:20:50 > 0:20:54of the oldest choir in the world - the Sistine Chapel choir.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59# Secundum magnam misericordiam tuam... #
0:20:59 > 0:21:03The Sistine Chapel is absolutely
0:21:03 > 0:21:07the most beautiful artificial thing in the world,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09as far as I'm concerned.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12And the music that we sing there was written for that building,
0:21:12 > 0:21:13for that acoustic,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17while the frescoes of Michelangelo were still wet.
0:21:17 > 0:21:23And to sing in there is an amazing privilege.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Mark first came to Rome to audition for opera houses, but made contact
0:21:27 > 0:21:32with the maestro of the choir and was soon thrown in at the deep end.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33He opened the door and he said,
0:21:33 > 0:21:37"Well, there's the choir, go and join the bass section."
0:21:37 > 0:21:43And then he said, "OK, well, we'll give you a four-month contract, see how you do."
0:21:43 > 0:21:45The choir has just completed an album
0:21:45 > 0:21:49recorded over seven nights in the Sistine Chapel itself.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53But their music is not restricted to just one magnificent setting.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58We are not the Vatican choir but the Pope's choir, and therefore
0:21:58 > 0:22:02we actually mainly sing in the basilica under that dome.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07That's where we sing. Wow. And we've just designed new choir stalls.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10We actually took as the basis of that design
0:22:10 > 0:22:12the choir stalls at Westminster Abbey.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15So there's a bit of Westminster Abbey in St Peter's.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17CHORAL SINGING
0:22:17 > 0:22:19What is the difference here?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21What's the difference of approach to the music?
0:22:21 > 0:22:26Because Italian is so closely linked to Latin, it's a modern form of
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Latin, and they sing very naturally with a great sense of feeling.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33British choirs, when they're singing Gregorian,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36can sometimes be quite block. It can be...
0:22:36 > 0:22:38# Credo in unum Deum. #
0:22:38 > 0:22:41But here it would be...
0:22:41 > 0:22:45# Credo in unum Deum Patrem omnipotentem. #
0:22:45 > 0:22:49# Credo in unum Deum...
0:22:49 > 0:22:50CONDUCTOR SPEAKS IN ITALIAN
0:22:50 > 0:22:54# Patrem omnipotentem. #
0:22:54 > 0:22:57There's some great English choirs that do Gregorian very well,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00but here it just comes so naturally to them.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04CHORAL SINGING
0:23:04 > 0:23:06When you're singing, people are praying,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11people are worshipping. Do you ever feel a responsibility
0:23:11 > 0:23:16not just as a singer to the music, but to the worshippers as well?
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Absolutely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21It's our job to inspire.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It's our job to move people.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28It's our job to show you what theology sounds like.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32The beauty of the Church's message is expressed through its art
0:23:32 > 0:23:34and it's expressed through its music.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37CHORAL SINGING
0:23:37 > 0:23:40That rich European choral tradition
0:23:40 > 0:23:43is still a source of inspiration today.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45This next piece was written by
0:23:45 > 0:23:48well-known Scottish composer James MacMillan in 2007
0:23:48 > 0:23:51and is sung for us by Cappella Caeciliana.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57# O radiant dawn
0:23:57 > 0:24:02# O radiant dawn
0:24:03 > 0:24:10# O radiant dawn
0:24:10 > 0:24:18# Splendour of eternal light
0:24:18 > 0:24:23# Sun of justice
0:24:24 > 0:24:28# Sun of justice
0:24:29 > 0:24:36# Sun of justice
0:24:37 > 0:24:45# Come, come, come
0:24:46 > 0:24:53# Come, come, come
0:24:53 > 0:24:56# Shine on those who dwell
0:24:56 > 0:25:02# In darkness and the shadow of death
0:25:05 > 0:25:12# Isaiah had prophesied
0:25:12 > 0:25:19# "The people who walked in darkness
0:25:19 > 0:25:25# "Have seen a great light
0:25:25 > 0:25:31# "Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
0:25:31 > 0:25:38# "A light has shone"
0:25:41 > 0:26:00# O radiant dawn
0:26:00 > 0:26:06# Splendour of eternal light
0:26:06 > 0:26:11# Sun of justice
0:26:12 > 0:26:17# Sun of justice
0:26:18 > 0:26:25# Sun of justice
0:26:26 > 0:26:33# Come, come, come
0:26:34 > 0:26:41# Come, come, come
0:26:41 > 0:26:45# Shine on those who dwell
0:26:45 > 0:26:52# In darkness and the shadow of death
0:26:54 > 0:27:06# Amen, amen
0:27:06 > 0:27:10# Amen
0:27:10 > 0:27:18# Amen. #
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Back on the cricket field, the tension is mounting.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32The Anglicans are chasing the Vatican score of 147.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35They're 105 for nine and the last pair are at the wicket.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39We've got Steve the captain and Chris the master blaster.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44Guys, what's happening in the game? We've just lost the game, I'm afraid. Bad news. Oh! Runners-up.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Did the Archbishop say anything to you before you left? He did. Yeah.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49What did he say? Don't come back if you lose.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52What career plans do you have going forward?
0:27:52 > 0:27:56We might become Catholics and stay here, stay in Rome!
0:27:56 > 0:27:59CHORAL SINGING
0:27:59 > 0:28:01The visit isn't quite over yet.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03The Anglican team, now in their work clothes,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07have been invited to attend the Papal Mass at St Peter's Basilica.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11There are tens of thousands of people out here in the square,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13but the atmosphere is hushed and reverent,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17perhaps an indication of the great affection in which this Pope is held
0:28:17 > 0:28:20and how he's captured the hearts and minds of his people.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23CHORAL SINGING
0:28:26 > 0:28:30As religious services go, they don't come much bigger than this.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32So what do the team make of the experience?
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Tell us about the Papal Mass.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Yeah, I mean, it's incredible to be in there. You know,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38you've heard about this building, you're in it,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41and you're experiencing this incredible moment.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45The Pope is right there. It's a gift to be there.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46It was a great experience
0:28:46 > 0:28:50and to be welcomed into this wonderful service,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54but the heart of the service is receiving the bread and the wine,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we cannot do that
0:28:57 > 0:29:00because of the divisions down the centuries.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04We are not allowed to receive. But, I tell you what,
0:29:04 > 0:29:05I had a poignant moment in that service.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09The Secretary of the Cardinal from Belgium was sitting next to me
0:29:09 > 0:29:12and he said, "I'm not going to go to communion because I want to
0:29:12 > 0:29:17"sit with you and to acknowledge this division that we need healing.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20"And let's pray for one another, brother."
0:29:20 > 0:29:24And this Pope is really urging to try and break down the barriers
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and see that we are family of families,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28as he was saying just a few moments ago.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23That's almost it from Rome.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Next week, Bill Turnbull's at the Imperial War Museum in London
0:31:26 > 0:31:29as the nation marks Remembrance Sunday.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33To our final hymn. In keeping with today's ecumenical spirit,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36it was written by a Catholic, Cardinal John Newman,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38and is being sung from the mother church of Anglicans
0:31:38 > 0:31:41all over the world, Canterbury Cathedral.