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Music

The Catholic Church's Cool-Guy Pope Is Releasing a Prog-Rock Album

Bask in the glory of the first single right now.

Read: An Infallible Guide to America for God's Main Dude

Pope Francis is speaking to a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, but he might be back to headline it soon. Rolling Stone reports that the Vatican is planning to release an album of rock songs featuring the pontiff on lead vocals. This is not a joke.

The album, titled Wake Up!, will feature backing tracks from a variety of Church-approved artists, underscoring speeches and religious chants from His Holiness. The first single—a triumphant track that sounds like something that the boys from Slint would've made if they went on Wellbutrin and found God—is already up via Rolling Stone. You can already preorder the album ahead of its November 27 release date, if you feel so moved.

Will Pope Francis tour to support the new record? Will he drop to one knee on stage as cardinals drape the shroud of Turin over him, James Brown style? Will he adorn his mic stand with strings of rosary beads like Axl Rose once did with scarves? Only time will tell. Listen to the first track below and bask in its glory.