Pope Francis called on musicians and artists to serve as “angels of peace” in today’s turbulent world.
Speaking to attendees in the Clementine Hall ahead of the 2024 Vatican Christmas Concert, the pontiff reflected on the power of music to foster unity and communion, drawing inspiration from the Nativity story.
“When Jesus was born in the silence of the night, a hymn of peace, sung by a multitude of the heavenly host, suddenly filled the heavens with joy,” he stated.
The annual concert, supported by the Pontifical Foundation Gravissimum Educationis and Salesian Missions, featured a blend of established and emerging artists. The pope urged participants to focus on two vital themes: peace and hope.
“Take these messages to the streets of today’s world and nurture them for future generations,” he said, emphasizing the unique connection music has to the human heart.
Pope Francis encouraged the artists to invest their talents in promoting a culture of fraternity and reconciliation, stressing the urgent need for these values in contemporary society. He also connected the theme of hope to the upcoming Jubilee Year, affirming that hope is “founded on faith and nurtured by charity.”
“Friends, the world and the Church need your talents, your creative ideals, your generosity, and your passion for justice and fraternity,” the pope concluded, asking for prayers from those present.
The concert serves as a powerful reminder of the essential role art plays in inspiring change and fostering peace in the world.
