English singer-songwriter Sir Elton John calls on the crowd to make Pope Francis a saint during his annual AIDS benefit for the latter's efforts and compassion to promote the acceptance of homosexuals by the Roman Catholic Church.

The legendary singer hosted an event called An Enduring Vision: A Benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation last Tuesday, October 28, at Cipriani's in New York where he has announced that Pope Francis is going the extra mile to push the Catholic Church into accepting the gay community.

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"Make this man a saint now, okay?" said John to the audience during the event.

The knighted singer-songwriter explained to his spectators that the Catholic Church has been one of the biggest obstacles in the fight against AIDS a decade ago. He then went to praise Pope Francis for being concerned about the matter.

"He is a compassionate, loving man who wants everybody to be included in the love of God," said John, saying that it is a difficult stand for the Pope to take when a lot of people in the church opposes to it. John described the leader of the Roman Catholic Church as a courageous and fearless individual that 'we need in the world today'.

Besides praising the Pope, John also honored Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York, for his plan to end the problems brought about by AIDS in the state he governs by year 2020.

The cause was attended by David Furnish, who is John's husband, A-list actor Alec Baldwin, CNN host Anderson Cooper and Neil Patrick Harris.

To spice things up a little bit, a lunch date with Cooper which was dubbed the 'great anchor sandwich', was auctioned during the event and sold for US$40,000. Mike Myers, who also attended the event, came onstage and also offered himself for a lunch date which was sold at US$50,000.

Furthermore, a Damien Hirst and Robert Mapplethorpe painting were sold at US$270,000 and US$90,000 respectively. All proceeds of the auction would go to the cause.

TagsElton John, Pope Francis