Pope Leo XIV at Concert in his Honor says "Music, art, and beauty are means that help us look upward, moving toward God"
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Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo: 'Beauty Elevates Us Beyond a World of Conflict'
CASTEL GANDOLFO — "We live in a world where beauty is lacking. Having the opportunity to come together for an occasion like this is truly a great gift." With these poignant words, Pope Leo XIV thanked the audience and performers at the conclusion of a special concert held in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Albano, the musical evening was organized as a gesture of affection for the Pontiff during his traditional summer residence in the Lazio region.
Elevating the Human Spirit Through Art
Reflecting on the transcendent power of the arts, the Holy Father reminded attendees of the deeper purpose of creative expression:
"As you know, a couple of months ago I traveled to Spain, and the very purpose of that journey was to lift our eyes, our gaze, toward heaven. Music, art, and beauty are means that help us look upward, moving toward God, and toward what is truly one of the finest aspects of the human person," was to encourage humanity to "raise its eyes to the sky" and find hope amidst modern hardships.
Expressing his deep gratitude, the Pope thanked the Diocese of Albano and the performers. "A heartfelt thank you to the artists, who deeply moved me. And thanks to the Diocese of Albano for offering this concert to us—to all of you gathered here—because in these moments of beauty we have truly been able to experience something great: entering, in so many ways, into what God intended in creation, namely beauty," the Pope said.
Masterful Performances and a Call for Peace
The evening featured a brilliant repertoire celebrating two titans of 19th-century Italian music:
Violinist Marco Rogliano performed the Polonaise with Variations from Niccolò Paganini’s Third Violin Concerto.
Pianist Rossana Tomassi Golkar delivered a powerful rendition of Luis Bacalov’s Free Fantasy and Variations on Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma.
The soloists were accompanied by the I Musici di Parma orchestra, masterfully conducted by Maestro Pier Carlo Orizio.
The event opened with a welcoming address by the Bishop of Albano, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva, who expressed the local Church's joy over the Pope's return to Castel Gandolfo. Touching upon the themes of Bellini’s Norma, Monsignor Viva dedicated a poignant thought to women and mothers trapped in global conflict zones. He noted that these women, who bear the heaviest burdens of war alongside their families, carry the vital hope for a "reconciled tomorrow"—echoing Pope Leo XIV’s continuous global appeals for peace.
A Universal Message of Hope
The musical program seamlessly bridged instrumental virtuosity with theatrical melodrama. The reinterpretation of Norma, tracking the protagonist's journey from profound grief to forgiveness, served as a universal meditation on the power of love over violence. It beautifully illustrated the ability of peace to resonate even "in air shaken by the winds of war."
As a visual testament to this message, the concert concluded under a projected canopy of a starry night sky behind the orchestra. Following the final notes, the Holy Father warmly greeted the artists and attendees, participating in the traditional hand-kiss before departing the courtyard.
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