Tony Melendez scheduled to perform during Sun Bowl papal visit celebration

Nicaraguan-American singer-songwriter, Tony Melendez, is scheduled to perform at the Sun Bowl celebration marking Pope Francis’ visit to the Borderland, according to officials with the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.

According to his official website, Tony was born without arms because his mother was prescribed Thalidomide, a drug used to help calm morning sickness, during her pregnancy.

Tony was brought to the Los Angeles area from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms. He wore them until he was ten, when he got rid of them.

He learned to sing and play the guitar with his toes and went on to perform for Pope John Paul II during the pontiff’s visit to Los Angeles in 1987.

The pope descended from his chair to kiss Melendez, telling him, “you are a courageous young man and my hope is you continue giving hope to young people.”

Tickets for the televised mass and celebration will go on sale Tuesday at the UTEP ticket center.

Ticket prices are $15 and $10 for parish members.

A spokeswoman with the diocese told ABC-7 church administrators will have an access code that will enable parish members to obtain the $5 discount when buying the tickets.