Before heading to St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis met briefly with organizers and sponsors of the “Concert for the Poor”. The event, which will support the Pope’s charitable activities, is sponsored by the Apostolic Almoner, the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Promoting New Evangelization, and the St. Matthew Foundation. The concert will take place tomorrow at the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.
The Holy Father thanked the concert organizers for their work “which brings us together.”
“Music has the capacity to unite souls and to unite us with the Lord. It is horizontal and vertical, it lifts us up and it liberates us from our troubles. Even sad music, I think of mournful adagios, can help us in difficult moments,” he said.
Continuing his greeting, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the event, praising organizers for their spirit “amid the materialism that always surrounds us and brings us down, taking away our joy.”
“And as believers we have the joy of a Father Who loves us all, and the joy of fraternity with all. This is the joy that you now sow in this concert. It will be a concert to sow joy, not the type of joy that entertains for a moment, no: the seed will remain there in the souls of us all, and will bring good to all.”
Concluding his address, Pope Francis once again thanked those present for their work in providing support for those most in need.
