This afternoon, in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, and in the presence of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the sixth edition of the Concert with the Poor was held.

The following is the greeting addressed by the Holy Father to those present:

Greeting of the Holy Father

Michael Bublé, your Italian is wonderful, thank you so much!

Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you!

It was with great pleasure that I joined you for the sixth edition of this concert, which was born, we might say, from the heart of Pope Francis.

This evening, as the melodies touched our hearts, we felt the inestimable value of music: not a luxury for the few, but a divine gift accessible to everyone, rich and poor. Therefore, as I greet each one of you, I feel a special joy in welcoming you, brothers and sisters, for whom we have experienced this concert today: thank you all for your presence!

I thank Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski and the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, as well as the various charitable organizations that have collaborated to make this event possible.

Our gratitude naturally goes to those who have performed the music and songs with art and passion: the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, led by Mastro Monsignor Marco Frisina, together with the Nova Opera Orchestra. And we cannot forget the Nova Opera Foundation and all the partners who made this event possible. I address a truly special “thank you” to the artist Michael Bublé for his presence among us this evening, and to Ms. Serena Autieri.

Dear friends, music is like a bridge that leads us to God. It is capable of transmitting feelings, emotions, even the deepest stirrings of the soul, lifting them up and transforming them into an imaginary stairway connecting earth and heaven. Yes, music can lift our hearts! Not because it distracts us from our sufferings, because it numbs us or makes us forget the problems or difficult situations of life, but because it reminds us that we are not just this: we are far more than our problems and our troubles, we are God’s beloved children!

It is not a coincidence that the feast of Christmas is very rich in traditional songs, in every language and every culture. It is as though this Mystery could not be celebrated without music, without hymns of praise. After all, the Gospel itself tells us that while Jesus was being born in the stable in Bethlehem, there was a great concert of angels in heaven! And who listened to that concert? To whom did the angels appear? To the shepherds, who were keeping watch at night to guard their flock (cf. Lk 2:13-14).

Dear friends, in this time of Advent, let us prepare ourselves to meet the Lord who is coming! Let us ensure that our hearts are not weighed down, that they are not preoccupied with selfish interests and material concerns, but rather that they are awake, attentive to others, to those in need; let us be ready to listen to the song of God’s love, which is Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus is God’s song of love for humanity. Let us listen to this song! Let us learn it well, so that we too can sing it with our lives.

Thank you all! God bless you. I wish you a blessed Advent and a merry Christmas!