Pop star Justin Bieber had tears in his eyes as he delivered a powerful message about God at One Love Manchester, a star-studded event held to remember and raise funds for the victims of the May 22 terror attack that unfolded at singer Ariana Grande’s concert.
Bieber encouraged the audience to chant “love” and delivered an encouraging message about hope and holding on to one’s faith in the midst of difficulties and pain.
“I’m not going to let go of hope. I’m not going to let go of love. I’m not going to let go of God. Put your hand up if you’re not going to let go,” he said. “God is good in the midst of the darkness. God is good in the midst of the evil. God is in the midst, no matter what’s happening in the world, God is in the midst and he loves you and he’s here for you.”
The Daily Mail reported that Bieber had tears in his eyes as he delivered the speech before an audience of 50,000, which included many of the people who were at Ariana Grande’s original May 22 concert.
Bieber also thanked the crowd for having him there and encouraged people to put their hands up in the air to honor the families impacted by the horrific Manchester terror attack.
In addition to Bieber, the concert — announced by Grande last week — included Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Coldplay, Usher and other stars.
The event raised $2.6 million over a three-hour people, as people tuning in via livestream were encouraged to donate to the We Love Manchester Fund, which was created by the British Red Cross and the city council, Variety reported.
The money, which is part of a larger $12.9 million that has already been raised, will be used to help victims of the attack.
The One Love Manchester concert came just two weeks after the horrific terror attack rocked Manchester, leaving 22 dead and scores of others injured, and just one day after separate attacks in London left seven victims and three suspects dead.
In the latest London attack, those responsible stabbed people with knives at a market and also plowed a car into pedestrians.