In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you!

Welcome, and thank you for your patience. I am pleased to meet you today, on the eve of the sixth edition of the Concert with the Poor. Pope Francis’ happy insight is becoming a beautiful tradition, which fits into the context of preparation for Holy Christmas, when we celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ who draws close and becomes poor for us (cf. 2 Cor 8:9).

The mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word is the relevation of the love that God the Father has for each one of us. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his first Encyclical, published precisely on Christmas Day, “this divine activity now takes on dramatic form when, in Jesus Christ, it is God himself who goes in search of the ‘stray sheep’ a suffering and lost humanity”. [1] God who makes himself a child, who entrusts himself to the care of human parents, who offers himself for each one of us, is the Icon of the divine love that comes to save us.

How beautiful it is to be able to say with the heart and the mind: God is charity, he is love! (cf. 1Jn 4:16). Looking at him, we can learn to live as he has loved us; we can discover that the commandment of love responds to our most authentic needs, because it is when we love that we truly fulfil ourselves.

The Concert with the Poor, then, is not merely a performance by talented artists or a simple musical review, as beautiful as it may be; nor is it a moment of solidarity to ease our conscience in the face of social injustices. I would like us, in participating in this event, to remember the words of the Lord: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). That's right! If we truly love those who are hungry and thirsty, those who are naked, sick, strangers, prisoners, we are loving the Lord. This is the Gospel: “This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation: contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history. In the poor, he continues to speak to us” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, 5). He reminds us that the dignity of men and women is not measured by what they possess: we are not our possessions and our things, but children loved by God; and this same love must be the hallmark of our actions towards our neighbour. For this reason, in our Concert, our most fragile brothers and sisters occupy the front seats.

Music has always had an important role in Christian experience. In the liturgy, in particular, singing is never a “soundtrack”, a simple backdrop, but is intended to lift the soul to lead it as close as possible to the mystery that is celebrated. [2] Saint Augustine, referring precisely to singing in prayer, wrote in his Comment on the Psalms: “You must sing to Him, but not out of tune. He does not wish for His ears to be offended. Sing with artistry, O brethren.” [3] How important in music are care, commitment, artistry, and, finally, the harmony that comes from them: it is truly a precious gift that God has given to all humanity.

Allow me, therefore, brothers and sisters, to make a joke: please, sing well tomorrow! Sing and play with artistry and, above all, with your hearts, because music can truly represent a form of love, a  via  pulchritudinis that leads to God, since “beauty is His gift to all human beings, united by the same dignity and called to fraternity”. [4]

Finally, I would like to thank all those who are working hard to make the concert a success, in particular Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina, Monsignor Marco Frisina, together with the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, the Orchestra and the Nova Opera Foundation, actress Serena Autieri, Michael Bublé and his band, and each of the artists, without forgetting all the partners whose generous support has this event possible.

In giving you my blessing, I entrust you to the maternal intercession of Mary Immaculate, gate of Advent and woman of hope, and I invoke for all of you the protection of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians.

May the Lord continue to bless your commitment and this beautiful work! Thank you!

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[1] Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter  Deus caritas est (25 December 2005), 12.

[2] Cf. Id.,  Blessing of the new organ of the Alte Kapelle, Regensburg (13 September 2006).

[3] St. Augustine,  Enarrationes in Psalmos, Psalm 32, II, 1, 8: CCL 38, 253.

[4] Francis, Greeting to the Organizers and Artists of the Concert with the Poor (7 December 2024).

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 5 December 2025