As Pope Benedict takes center stage in a U.S. visit to New York’s Yankee Stadium for Sunday mass on April 20, 2008, Harry Connick Jr. will also take the stage to close the pre-mass concert. Entitled the “Concert of Hope,” Connick will close the celebration, performing a four song tribute to fellow New Orleanian, renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, as well as an original orchestral piece that he wrote in honor of this event. Upon receiving the invitation to perform, Connick commented, “This is a great honor and thrill for me. I have never before met or performed for the Pope. As a practicing Catholic, this is as good as it gets.” The tribute to Mahalia Jackson will feature Connick’s dear friend, Gospel singer, Kim Burrell. He invited Burrell to perform with him because of her “immense talent and Christian faith.” The orchestral piece is entitled “Trinity” and will close the concert. Connick composed and orchestrated the piece while on his recent tour of Asia and Australia. He has said that he considers it a personal reflection of his faith. The musical theme and variation is based on the Holy Trinity of the Church – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Details of the event are as follows: Sunday, April 20, 2008 2:00pm – Concert of Hope Yankee Stadium, New York