- 30 July, 2026
Vatican City, July 30, 2026: Music has the power to lead people beyond the threshold of mystery. Just as following a stream eventually brings a person to its source, the beauty of music can draw humanity towards God, fulfilling the longing for meaning and happiness that the world itself cannot satisfy.
Pope Leo XIV shared this reflection during the Canticle of Peace gathering, held on the evening of 29 July at Borgo Laudato si' in the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, beneath the ancient holm oak known as "Methuselah."
Reflecting on the "choirs of angels and saints" mentioned in Scripture, the Pope explained that they do not "literally sing all the time." Instead, their perfect harmony comes from their shared contemplation of God, a harmony that earthly music can also help people experience.
From the Holy Land, Uganda and Italy, together
The gathering was organised by the Laudato si' Higher Education Centre in collaboration with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, represented by the celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli. The event formed part of the commemorations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.
Readings during the programme included passages from the writings of St Francis, including the Canticle of the Creatures, together with biblical texts and reflections from several Popes, ranging from St Paul VI and St John Paul II to Pope Francis.
Pope Leo described the occasion as one of "joy," accompanied by Andrea Bocelli and the ABF Voices choir, comprising 164 children and young people from the Holy Land, Uganda and Italy. While united through their love of music, many of them also share experiences shaped by war, poverty and suffering.
The Pope observed that their "beautiful singing," together with the multilingual prayer offered at the conclusion of the gathering, demonstrated how music can bring together different voices in a single harmony, with each individual making a unique contribution to the whole.
In this way, he said, the choir becomes a symbol of harmony and cooperation.
Something greater than the individual
Speaking about the heavenly "choirs" described in Scripture, Pope Leo said their unity comes from discovering in God "the fullness of happiness."
He continued, "As you sang, did you notice how music drew all of us into a new experience—something greater than anything any one of us could have created alone? That is the experience of beauty. It opens up a new horizon and awakens within us the desire to move towards it."
Like a stream to its source
Moving towards that horizon, the Pope explained, means discovering not simply "something," but "Someone."
"Just as we can follow a stream back to its source, so the beauty of music invites us to encounter the One who is Beauty itself. Continue to cultivate the gifts God has given you, and let them lead you to Him," the Pope continued.
The world cannot satisfy our thirst for meaning
Recognising the "restless hearts" of young people, Pope Leo said that only the Lord—"everything we seek in life"—is able to give them true rest.
"Remember that you were made for great things, and that the whole world is not enough to satisfy your thirst for meaning and happiness."
"The Holy Father loves you and prays for you"
The Pope then offered a personal message of reassurance to the young people present: "The Holy Father loves you and prays for you, for your families and for your countries."
His remarks also became a prayer for peace, asking that it may prevail "in all those parts of the world that continue to suffer because of violence."
For the young participants, praying alongside the Pope marked the culmination of a ten-day journey during which choristers and educators experienced formation, friendship and fraternity through the art of singing.
The commitment of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation
The Pope concluded by expressing gratitude to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for its dedication to supporting young people facing educational and social disadvantage.
"Through the power of music, you are contributing to the Church's mission of promoting the integral development of every person in service of the common good. May God bless your efforts."
Beneath the shade of "Methuselah"
The prayer gathering opened with an introduction by Cardinal Fabio Baggio, recently appointed Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, effective from 1 September 2026, and Director General of the Laudato si' Higher Education Centre.
Before the musical performances began, Cardinal Baggio reflected on the quiet yet profound witness of the ancient holm oak called "Methuselah." Rooted in the history of the Pontifical Gardens, he said the tree symbolises the responsibility entrusted to every man and woman "to care for what we have received as a gift so that it may continue to generate life and hope for future generations."
Cardinal Baggio also recalled the well-known words of St Augustine: "Late have I loved You, Beauty ever ancient, ever new; late have I loved You."
He further thanked Pope Leo for being present, reminding those gathered that peace remains "a mission entrusted to each one of us."
Creation, peace, human dignity and faith
The opening section of the programme centred on Creation and featured performances of Panis Angelicus and Dolce sentire by Andrea Bocelli and the choir. Sister Alessandra Smerilli then read a passage from St Francis's Canticle of the Creatures, followed by Cardinal Baggio proclaiming in English verses from the opening chapter of Genesis.
The second section, dedicated to harmony among peoples, included the choir's musical rendition of Gianni Rodari's poem The Moon of Kyiv, followed by a prayer attributed to the Poor Man of Assisi, read by Fr Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land.
The third section focused on human dignity. It included the choir's performance of Singing All Together, accompanied by readings from Pope Francis's encyclical Fratelli tutti, St Paul VI's address to the United Nations on 4 October 1965, and St John Paul II's speech to the International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace in The Hague on 13 May 1985.
The fourth and concluding section, dedicated to faith and unity, featured a performance of Gaelic Blessing together with a reading from Chapter 20 of the Gospel according to John.
The children's prayer
Following the Pope's reflection, the children recited a prayer in several languages:
“Father, we are children. We ask only to be able to play. That is why You created for us a beautiful garden where we could live happily, surrounded by Your love and in harmony with every creature whom St Francis taught us to call brother and sister. We have failed to care for the garden, and the joy of living in it has turned into fear of You, so we hid ourselves. But Your love found us, just as in a game of hide-and-seek. Through Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross, You reconciled us to Yourself, restored communion with You, with one another and with all creation. We ask You to help us care for the garden so that we may live in true happiness.”
The gathering concluded with the Lord's Prayer, the exchange of the sign of peace and the Apostolic Blessing. Andrea Bocelli and the choir then performed Amazing Grace before presenting Pope Leo XIV with gifts prepared by the children from their respective homelands.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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