Pope Francis: Music, an instrument of evangelisation

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Source: Vatican Media

More than 7,000 musicians and singers from around the world descended on the Vatican over the weekend to participate in the third International Meeting of Choirs.

The three day gathering, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization in collaboration with Nova Opera Onlus included conferences, workshops, testimonies, rehearsals and recitals. There were speakers from Vietnam, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Saturday morning, participants attended an audience with Pope Francis.

"You have awoken the Vatican!" he told them. "Your music and song are truly an instrument of evangelisation to the extent that you bear witness to the depth of the Word of God, which touches people's hearts, and to the extent that you assist in the celebration of the Sacraments, in particular the Holy Eucharist, allowing us to perceive the beauty of Paradise."

The Pope encouraged the choristers to continue giving voice to the emotions that lie at the heart of the Church community. "Music and song can often make certain moments unique in a person's life, because they become a precious memory that has marked their lives," he told them.

On Saturday evening, Mgr Marco Frisina, director of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, conducted the 7,000 strong polyphonic choir and orchestra in a concert in the Paul VI Hall.

The choral meeting ended on Sunday with Mass in St Peter's Basilica presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.