U2's The Edge performs at the Sistine Chapel

VATICAN CITY, May 2 (UPI) -- U2 guitarist The Edge performed at the Sistine Chapel, becoming the first rock star to stage a concert inside the world-famous Vatican City chapel.

The famed guitar player performed inside the chapel, underneath frescoes by Michelangelo, as part of a conference on regenerative medicine. The conference brought together more than 200 doctors, scientists, researchers and philanthropists to discuss ways to fight diseases such as cancer, according to Rolling Stone.

The Edge, real name David Evans, has been a member of the Angiogenesis Foundation since 2007 after his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. Angiogenesis refers to the body's ability to grow new blood vessels.

"When I was asked to perform in the Sistine Chapel I didn't know what to say, because usually there's 'this other guy' who sings," he said referring to U2 frontman Bono. "So it took me at least, well, 30 seconds to agree to it."

The Edge performed U2's "Yahweh," "Ordinary World," and "Walk On," and covered Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will." Pope Francis was not in attendance. "My special thanks go to him," The Edge said of the Pope before the concert. "To the people's Pope."