Pope Francis recalled the importance of music in the life of the Church.
At a conference organized by the Vatican's Ministry of Culture, the Grand Pontiff broadened his tribute to all musicians silenced since the closure of concert halls since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
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“
My thoughts are with all those who have been touched: the musicians who have seen their lives and their profession turned upside down by the demands of distancing;
those who have lost their jobs and their social contacts,
”he said.
Very concerned about cultural dynamics since his election in 2013, he congratulated them for their "
important efforts to continue to offer a musical service endowed with a new creativity
".
Hoping that soon “
we can start singing, playing and enjoying music and song together
”.
A giant tango for his birthday
If his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a learned musician and pianist, renowned for regularly participating in classical music concerts in the Vatican, the Argentine bishop, for his part, had never shown any particular passion for music.
We only knew he was sensitive to the tango.
In 2014, on the occasion of his 78th birthday, thousands of enthusiasts had danced for him in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.
Essential to cultural life, music, through its texts and its compositions, "
stimulates the personal conscience of each one and also creates a universal fraternity
", he declared.
But the Holy Father also supported his speech on the importance of silence, and of breathing in the greatest musical works.
“
A good musician knows the value of the break.
The alternation between sound and silence is fruitful and allows listening, which plays a fundamental role in every dialogue
”.
It is on this idea that Pope Francis ended, delivering a final message of hope.
“
Is the silence in which we live a void or are we simply in a phase of listening?
”He asked.
Before adding:
"Will this allow, subsequently, the emergence of a new song?"
".