Pope Leo makes surprise visit to children’s Christmas concert at Castel Gandolfo school Pope Leo XIV enjoyed a special Christmas concert this week dedicated to him by students of the Paul VI Pontifical School in Castel Gandolfo. During his surprise visit to the school, which has about 300 students, the Holy Father listened attentively to the children and applauded enthusiastically at the end of their concert. The pontiff delivered an impromptu greeting to the children, who sang Christmas carols in several languages for him. “It was wonderful to hear the Christmas carols in Italian, Latin, English, and Spanish,” he said at the end of the concert, as reported by Vatican News. “Hearing these children sing like this in all these languages helps us understand how Christmas awakens in the hearts of all of us a joy, a peace, a truly important message,” he said. The performance took place in the school gymnasium and was also attended by parents and teachers, as well as the bishop of Albano, Vincenzo Viva, and the president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti. The pope thanked the school for the invitation and said the children “have brought love to everyone tonight with this beautiful music.” As is his custom, he referred to St. Augustine, noting that the saint from Hippo said that “‘he who loves, sings,’ because his heart truly knows what is important.” “And God has wanted to communicate to all of us the gift of love: This is Christmas, God who wanted to draw near to us, especially to the little ones. May this spirit that we are already celebrating tonight, and in the coming days and at Christmas, and perhaps throughout the entire year, allow us to feel and live this love of Christmas,” said the Holy Father, who concluded his brief address on Dec. 16 with an invitation to “proclaim peace, love, and unity in the world.” Pope Leo XIV, who wore an enormous smile on his face, took a few moments to greet the children and their families. They gave him a tennis racket because he plays tennis, a sport he loves and has been playing for years. Before returning to the Vatican after his weekly visit to the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pope toured the grounds of the Catholic elementary school, which was founded in 1968 by St. Paul VI and houses a relic of the saint. This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Almudena Martínez-Bordiú Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Here is the miracle that now paves the way for Pier Giorgio Frassati’s canonization Pope Leo XIV speaks to 1 million youth at jubilee: ‘Stay with us, Lord’ What is being discussed during the first week of the Synod on Synodality? Pope Francis reads Ukrainian student’s moving testimony of faith at general audience Pope Francis announces prayer vigil, day of fasting for peace in Israel-Hamas war Pope Francis: St. Kateri Tekakwitha is an example of patience in suffering
Source: https://ewtnvatican.com/articles/pope-leo-xiv-surprise-christmas-concert
