German Schlager singer Heino marked the third anniversary of his wife Hannelore’s death by sharing a photograph of his private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, t-online.de reported.
The couple was married for 44 years before Hannelore died at the age of 81. For the memorial on Sunday, the 87-year-old musician posted the image on Instagram rather than a picture of his late wife.
“Mensch, was wäre sie stolz auf diese Begegnung mit Papst Leo XIV. gewesen,” Heino wrote on the platform, according to t-online.de. The singer explained that he spoke with the pontiff about his wife and their shared faith during the January visit.
The idea for Heino’s more than 250 church concerts originated with his late wife. The singer stated that he is glad those performances were realized and noted that the concert series is expected to continue next year, t-online.de reported.
Manager Helmut Werner arranged the visit to the Apostolic Palace. Werner sent a personal letter to the Pope months prior to outline Heino’s wish to meet the Catholic Church leader, and the invitation arrived a day before Christmas Eve.
“Als ich die Einladung einen Tag vor Heiligabend bekam, sind mir die Tränen gekommen,” Heino said, according to t-online.de.
Pope Leo XIV received the guests from Germany in his private library and greeted them in German. Heino discussed his musical work in churches, while Werner translated the conversation for the pontiff, t-online.de reported.
Heino brought a gift for the Pope, handing over a Golden Record of his album “Frieden auf Ewigkeit.” The award featured an engraving reading, “Hoffnungsträger Papst Leo XIV.”
The singer concluded his Instagram post with a direct message to his wife: “Mein Girl, ich liebe dich – pass auf uns auf!”
Hannelore died at the age of 81, and her death anniversary occurred on Sunday, marking three years since her passing, according to t-online.de.
Heino’s manager, Helmut Werner, organized the visit by sending a personal letter to the Pope months prior, as reported by t-online.de.
Heino presented a Golden Record of his album “Frieden auf Ewigkeit” with the inscription “Hoffnungsträger Papst Leo XIV.,” t-online.de reported.
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