U2's The Edge Makes History as He Rocks the Sistine Chapel

The rock star sang a cover of Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will"

U2's lead guitarist The Edge made history Saturday night when he became the first contemporary artist to ever play in the Sistine Chapel.

The rock star, whose real name is David Evans, performed in the 15th century Cappella Magna for doctors, researchers and philanthropists who attended the Cellular Horizons conference on regenerative medicine at the Vatican.

"When I was asked to perform in the Sistine Chapel I didn't know what to say, because usually there's 'this other guy' who sings," The Edge told the audience, referring to U2's lead singer Bono, according to NBC News. "So it took me at least, well, 30 seconds to agree to it."

Wearing his trademark beanie cap, he played acoustic guitar and sang a cover of Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will," as well as versions of U2 songs "Yahweh," "Ordinary love" and "Walk On" with a choir of seven Irish teenagers.

The Edge's lost his father to cancer last month and his daughter overcame leukemia. He has been on the board of the Angiogenesis Foundation, an organization using new scientific techniques to treat cancer, blinding diseases, wounds and other serious illnesses, since 2007.

Vice President Joe Biden, who lost his son Beau to brain cancer last year, spoke at the conference on Friday, and called for a global effort to fund vital cancer research.

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