This afternoon, in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, and in the presence of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the Christmas Concert of the Sistine Chapel Choir was held.

The following is the Holy Father’s greeting to those present:

Greeting of the Holy Father

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies,

distinguished Authorities,

dear brothers and sisters!

I would like to thank the Sistine Chapel Choir, which in this concert has made us reflect on the mystery of Christmas with the language of music and song, a language capable of speaking not only to the mind, but also to the heart. I congratulate the Director, Maestro Marcos Pavan, and the Maestro of the Pueri, Michele Marinetti.

It is not Christmas without songs. Everywhere in the world, in every language and nation, the Event of Bethlehem is celebrated with music and song. And it could not be otherwise, since the Gospel itself tells that when the Virgin gave birth to the Saviour, the angels in heaven sang “Glory to God and peace on earth” (cf. Lk 2:13-14).

Who were the the spectators and witnesses of that first “Christmas concert”? They were – as we know – some shepherds from Bethlehem, who, after seeing the Infant in the manger, with Mary and Joseph, returned praising and thanking God (cf. Lk 2:20). And I like to think that they did so while singing and perhaps playing some rudimentary flutes.

But there is another place where heavenly music resounded on that holy night. A silent, intimate, very sensitive place: I refer naturally to the heart of Mary, the woman chosen by God to be the Mother of the Word incarnate. Let us learn from her how to listen to the voice of the Lord in the silence, in order to follow faithfully the part he entrusts to us in the score of life.

Dear friends,  I would like to dedicate this Concert to the children who, in so many parts of the world, lived this Christmas without lights, without music, without even the basic necessities for human dignity, and without peace. May the Lord, to whom we have raised our songs of praise this evening, hear the silent cries of these little ones and, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, grant justice and peace to the world.

Once again, thank you to the Sistine Chapel Choir, and best wishes for a happy new year to all of you!

[Applause]

I would like to invite everyone to sing the Pater Noster in this beautiful Sistine Chapel.

[Song and blessing]

Best wishes to you all!