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‘Cantico di Pace’ prayer and fellowship gathering
Pope Leo’s greetings to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation
with children’s choirs from Uganda, The Holy Land and Italy
Borgo Laudato sì – Piazzale del Padiglione del Riposo (Castel Gandolfo)
Wednesday, 29 July 2026
“Church’s Liturgy speak of choirs of angels and saints” ________________________________________
Dear friends,
Dear young people from Uganda, the Holy Land and Italy,
Welcome! I am very happy that you have joined us today.
It is a joy to share these moments with you.
Thank you, all the choir members, for your hard work in preparing this recital.
Congratulations, choir directors.
We have listened to your beautiful singing.
Music has the remarkable ability to bring different voices together in unison,
with each voice contributes something unique to the whole.
In this sense, a choir is a perfect symbol of harmony and cooperation.
Significantly, Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Liturgy speak of “choirs of angels and saints” when describing the joy of heaven.
This is not because they are literally singing all the time, but because, united in love, they behold God together and find the fullness of happiness in Him.
My dear young friends, did you notice how the music drew all of us into a new experience, greater than anything one of us could have created?
This is the experience of beauty.
Beauty opens a new horizon before us and awakens the desire within us to go out and meet it.
As we set out toward it, we discover not just something, but Someone.
We encounter God, our Creator.
Just as we can trace a stream back to its source, the beauty of music invites us to experience the source of all beauty.
In this regard, continue to cultivate the gifts that God has given you, and allow them to lead you towards him.
He embodies everything we are looking for in life.
He is the one who alone can quell our restless hearts.
Remember that you are meant for great things and that this world cannot quench your thirst for meaning and happiness.
Know, too, that the Holy Father loves you, your families, and your countries, and prays for you all.
I pray in particular that peace may reign in your homes and in all the places throughout the world that continue to suffer from violence.
In closing, I would like to thank the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for your work with young people experiencing educational and social disadvantages.
Through the power of music, you contribute to the Church’s mission of promoting the integral development of every person and serving the common good.
May God bless your efforts.
Dear friends,
Thank you again for coming to lift our spirits with your beautiful music.
I will gladly impart my heartfelt blessing to each of you as I entrust you to the intercession of Mary, our Mother.
