The Dalai Lama will appear by videoconference at an event marking Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday, after being denied a visa to enter South Africa.

The Dalai Lama was denied a visa to enter South Africa two years ago following overtures from China, which considers the Dalai Lama a Tibetan separatist.

The exiled Tibetan leader will deliver a peace lecture Saturday via videolink from Dharamsala, India, where he lives in exile.

Archbiship Tutu's Peace Center says an empty chair will be placed on stage, showcasing the government's action to keep the Dalai Lama away.

On Friday, the Dalai Lama said in a webcast address to Archbishop Tutu, he was sad over not being allowed to attend the birthday celebration.

Parishioners, politicians and rock stars gathered at Cape Town's historic St. George's Cathedral to celebrate Archbishop Tutus 80th birthday.

Hundreds of people lined the pews in the church where Archbishop Tutu once preached against apartheid.

U2 lead singer Bono serenaded the archbishop and called Tutu the only rock star in the room.

Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, and South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe also attended.

In his birthday greeting to the archbishop, President Zuma said the Nobel Peace Prize laureate is admired by “thousands.”