Pope’s album is set for November release

An album of litanies and popular chants performed by Pope Benedict XVI is to be released just in time for Christmas, the Geffen record label has announced.

The Times of London said the CD is set to drop in November and the proceeds are intended to be used to fund music education for underprivileged children around the world.

The pope’s vocals reportedly were taken from broadcasts on Radio Vatican, which owns the rights to them, and the project is said to have the pontiff’s blessing.

He is accompanied on the album by The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome. The album was recorded in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the newspaper said. Additional music was performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded at Abbey Road studios in London.

The great thing about the pope is that he’s got a fantastic tone, very soothing but commanding, The Times quoted Colin Barlow, president of Geffen U.K. as saying. It’s about dignity. I’ve worked with Take That and Dame Shirley Bassey. We treat everybody with respect. It’s the same with any of the big artists. (You have to ensure) that the quality is there and that it sounds amazing.

The name of the pope’s forthcoming album was not mentioned in the Times article.