Bruno Mars opened his Vancouver shows with a prerecorded video of himself kneeling in a church and praying for God’s protection over concertgoers and performers.
In the video accompanying The Romantic Tour, Mars thanks God for another day to do what he loves, asks for protection for everyone in the audience and on stage, and prays for the strength to deliver a show the city will never forget. He ends the prayer with the Sign of the Cross, places a rose on the altar and leaves the church.
The video adds to the Catholic imagery featured in some of Mars’s recent work. His music video for “Risk It All,” released in February, depicts a wedding in a church and follows the couple from their wedding day into old age.
Born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars has Filipino and Spanish ancestry through his mother and Puerto Rican and Jewish ancestry through his father. Although his use of Catholic imagery has attracted attention online, he has not publicly confirmed that he identifies as Catholic.
Mars is scheduled to perform five shows at Vancouver’s BC Place on Oct. 14, 16, 17, 20 and 21.
