Sirius Satellite Radio will launch a Papal Archives Channel as part of its coverage of Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States next month.
It will feature recordings from the past, including the earliest known audio of a pope.
The Papal Archives Channel will air April 14–20 on Sirius Channel 119. Archival recordings of Masses and speeches from historic papal visits include Pope John Paul II’s to the U.S. in 1979, 1987 and 1995, and Pope Paul VI’s visit to the U.S. in 1965.
Sirius listeners also will hear the earliest known audio of a pope’s voice, a recording of Leo XIII, pope from 1878–1903, singing “Ave Maria” at the Vatican circa 1902.
The channel will be one of three Sirius channels dedicated to papal coverage; it is a production of The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159, which broadcasts papal events and will give hourly updates with information on the pope’s activities during his visit.
Papal Playback (Sirius 143) will re-broadcast events from Pope Benedict’s current trip, allowing listeners multiple chances to hear Masses and public addresses.
