The Pope has received the artists and organizers of the Concert with the Poor that is being held this Saturday in the Paul VI Hall. He reminded those present that also in the liturgy, singing is intended to elevate the soul to lead it as close as possible to the mystery being celebrated.
Rocio Lancho García – Vatican City
“The dignity of men and women is not measured by what they possess: we are not our possessions and our things, but beloved children of God.” Pope Leo assured this, this morning, December 5, receiving the artists and organizers of the Concert with the poor that will take place this Saturday afternoon, in the Paul VI Hall.
The event, promoted by the Choir of the Diocese of Rome and the Nova Opera Foundation, will feature the participation of the Diocesan Choir – directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina – together with the Nova Opera Orchestra. In addition, the Concert will feature the participation of Michael Bublé, one of the most appreciated voices on the international music scene. Although the real protagonists will be, as every year, the fragile and needy people, welcomed as guests of honor in the first rows of the Hall.
Jesus becomes close and poor for us
The concert, which reaches its sixth edition this year, has been defined by the Pontiff as the “happy intuition of Pope Francis that is becoming a beautiful tradition, which is included in the context of the preparation for Holy Christmas, in which we celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ who becomes close and poor for us.”
The mystery of the Incarnation of the divine Word – Leo XIV has assured – is the revelation of the love that God the Father nourishes for each one of us. “By looking at Him we can learn to love as He has loved us; we can discover that the commandment of love responds to our most authentic needs, because when we love is when we truly realize ourselves,” the Holy Father stated.
Loving the little ones is loving the Lord
As he pointed out in his speech, the Concert with the Poor “is not just an exhibition of good artists or a simple musical festival, no matter how beautiful it may be, and neither is it a moment of solidarity to calm our conscience in the face of the injustices of society.” For this reason, Leo XIV has invited those present to remember the words of Jesus: “Every time you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
If we concretely love those who are hungry and thirsty, those who are unclothed, sick, foreigners, prisoners, the Pope added, “we are loving the Lord.” God’s love for his children “should be the hallmark of our actions toward others.” For this reason, in this Concert, “the most fragile brothers and sisters occupy the first seats,” the Holy Father explained.
Music represents a form of love
On the other hand, the Pontiff recalled that music has always had an important role in the Christian experience. “In the liturgy, in particular, singing is never ‘a soundtrack’, a simple background, but is intended to elevate the soul to bring it as close as possible to the mystery being celebrated,” the Pope explained.
By the way, he recalled the words of Saint Augustine in which he speaks precisely about singing in prayer: “Sing to him, but let it be well. He doesn’t want you to offend his ears. Sing well, brother.” For this reason, Leo XIV has stressed the importance of care, commitment, art and harmony in music. Music “is truly a precious gift that God has given to all humanity.”
Returning to the words of Saint Augustine, the Holy Father joked with those present: “sing well tomorrow!” “Sing and play with art and, above all, with your heart, because music can really represent a form of love, a the way of beauty that leads to God.”
To conclude, the Holy Father thanked all those who had worked for the good outcome of the Concert and invoked the protection of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, for all those present.
