Pope Leo XIV has highlighted the spiritual significance of encountering Christ in those most in need as the Vatican prepares for this year’s Christmas “Concert with the Poor.” Meeting with performers and organizers on Friday, the Pope reflected on how the annual tradition, now in its sixth edition, continues to reveal the heart of the Gospel.
The initiative, begun under Pope Francis, has become “a beautiful tradition,” according to Vatican News. Pope Leo turned the group’s attention to the mystery of the Incarnation, quoting Saint Paul’s teaching that Christ, “for your sake became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” According to the Vatican News report, he described this mystery as “the revelation of the love that God the Father has for each of us.”
To further illuminate this theme, Pope Leo cited Benedict XVI’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est, saying, “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,” according to the same source.
The Pope also reinforced that the concert is not simply a gesture of charity or an evening of artistic performance. Citing both the Gospel of Matthew and his own Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te, he insisted that service to the poor is a profound encounter with the Lord Himself. “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me,” he said, adding, “This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation… In the poor, he continues to speak to us,” according to Vatican News.
He reminded those gathered that dignity has nothing to do with material prosperity. As he stated in remarks reported by Vatican News, “We are not our goods or our things… but rather children loved by God.” For that reason, he said, the concert rightly prioritizes “the most fragile brothers and sisters.”
Turning to the role of sacred music, Pope Leo reflected on its capacity to lead souls toward God. Recalling the Church’s liturgical tradition, he noted that music is meant “to elevate the soul,” and drew on the words of Saint Augustine: “You must sing to Him… sing well, brothers.” With a touch of humor, he encouraged the artists preparing for the event, saying, “Please, sing well tomorrow!” According to Vatican News, he described music as “a form of love… a via pulchritudinis that leads to God.”
The Holy Father expressed gratitude to the many contributors making the concert possible, including Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina, Monsignor Marco Frisina, the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, the Orchestra, the Nova Opera Foundation, Serena Autieri, Canadian artist Michael Bublé and his band, and all partners supporting the mission.
As Christmas draws near, Pope Leo’s message underscores that the concert’s true purpose extends far beyond its artistic beauty: it is a reminder that Christ continues to meet His people in the poor, calling the Church to recognize, love, and serve Him there.
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