Pope Leo attends he Concert With the Poor in the Vatican with Michael Bublé- Performed the Ave Maria
Canadian singer praises Concert With the Poor as "a beautiful night that brings hope and celebrates humanity."
Echo report published in Aleteia by Kathleen Hattrup:
"Birds flying high, you know how I feel!" Michael Bublé began with enthusiasm, as he took the stage in Paul VI Hall, with his famous hit "Feeling Good," as a smiling Pope Leo joined the crowd in warm applause.
The Canadian singer was the star performer for the Vatican's 6th Concert With the Poor, an initiative that Leo described as having been "born from the heart of Pope Francis," as the crowd, and perhaps especially the "honored guests" so beloved by Francis, gave long applause.
The 8,000 spectators in the Hall included some 3,000 who are supported through various Vatican and other charity initiatives.
Bublé was accompanied by the Nova Opera Orchestra and the 200-voice Choir of the Diocese of Rome. Italian actress and singer Serena Autieri also performed and acted as master of ceremonies.
He went on to ask a "favor" of the audience -- that they would not allow him to sing alone. He cited Leo's greetings from the day before, and the Pope's wish that we would be "strong together."
He then launched into "L-O-V-E," and the crowd -- including the Pope -- happily joined in.
Ave Maria," which he had said at a press conference for the concert, was the only song requested by the Pope.
As promised, Bublé also sang the "A bridge to God: After the singing, Pope Leo, who was seated in the middle of the Hall, offered a brief reflection about music, and how it is available to rich and poor alike.
He started his reflection by saying, in English, "Michael Bublé, your Italian is wonderful, thank you🙏 so much!"
The Holy Father, who from the very start of his pontificate wowed the faithful by himself singing the chant of the Regina Caeli, has repeatedly spoken of how important music is.
Tonight, he said it is like "a bridge that leads us to God."
Music can convey feelings and even "the deepest movements of the soul" making them like a "staircase connecting earth and heaven."
"Yes, music can lift our spirits! Not because it distracts us from our miseries, because it stuns us or makes us forget the problems or difficult situations in life, but because it reminds us that we are not just this: We are much more than our problems and troubles, we are children loved by God!"
The Holy Father reflected that it is natural that Christmas would have so many traditional songs in every language and culture.
"It is as if 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!"
He then suggested that Jesus is himself "God's song of love."
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.
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| Pope Leo attends the Michael Bublé |
"Birds flying high, you know how I feel!" Michael Bublé began with enthusiasm, as he took the stage in Paul VI Hall, with his famous hit "Feeling Good," as a smiling Pope Leo joined the crowd in warm applause.
The Canadian singer was the star performer for the Vatican's 6th Concert With the Poor, an initiative that Leo described as having been "born from the heart of Pope Francis," as the crowd, and perhaps especially the "honored guests" so beloved by Francis, gave long applause.
The 8,000 spectators in the Hall included some 3,000 who are supported through various Vatican and other charity initiatives.
Bublé was accompanied by the Nova Opera Orchestra and the 200-voice Choir of the Diocese of Rome. Italian actress and singer Serena Autieri also performed and acted as master of ceremonies.
"Grazie mille! Grazie tutti! Thank you so much!🙏 I want to take just, just five seconds to take this in! [....] This is, really, the greatest moment of my life and my career. Right now," Bublé said. "God has blessed me and these musicians, and all of us, with music. And I'm so grateful. It means so much to me ... that I can stand here with my wife, and my family, and my friends, and all of you ... I think all of you are my family ... and to be able to share and to connect with you beautiful souls on a beautiful night that brings hope and celebrates humanity, and us being connected."
He went on to ask a "favor" of the audience -- that they would not allow him to sing alone. He cited Leo's greetings from the day before, and the Pope's wish that we would be "strong together."
He then launched into "L-O-V-E," and the crowd -- including the Pope -- happily joined in.
Ave Maria," which he had said at a press conference for the concert, was the only song requested by the Pope.
As promised, Bublé also sang the "A bridge to God: After the singing, Pope Leo, who was seated in the middle of the Hall, offered a brief reflection about music, and how it is available to rich and poor alike.
He started his reflection by saying, in English, "Michael Bublé, your Italian is wonderful, thank you🙏 so much!"
The Holy Father, who from the very start of his pontificate wowed the faithful by himself singing the chant of the Regina Caeli, has repeatedly spoken of how important music is.
Tonight, he said it is like "a bridge that leads us to God."
Music can convey feelings and even "the deepest movements of the soul" making them like a "staircase connecting earth and heaven."
The Holy Father reflected that it is natural that Christmas would have so many traditional songs in every language and culture.
"It is as if 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!"
He then suggested that Jesus is himself "God's song of love."
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.
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