Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Jubilee of Choirs on the Solemnity of Christ the King, urging choristers from around the world to live their ministry as a visible sign of unity, love and shared faith within the Church.

Presiding over Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Father reminded singers and musicians that their service is not a performance but a mission that draws the entire Christian community closer together.

Reflecting on the day’s responsorial psalm, Pope Leo said the liturgy invites all believers to walk together with joy and hope toward Christ, the King of the Universe. He emphasised that the kingship of Christ is not marked by earthly power but by self-giving love.

“His power is love, his throne the Cross,” he said, noting that through this love the light of Christ’s Kingdom shines on the world.

 Pope highlighted that sacred music springs from the mystery of divine love. Quoting Saint Augustine, he recalled that “singing belongs to those who love,” explaining that song expresses the depth of the human heart in ways words alone cannot. In the Church, he said, music becomes the new song of the Risen Christ, a gift through which the faithful share in the joy of new life.

Pope Leo invited choirs to see themselves as models of ecclesial unity. Returning again to the teachings of Saint Augustine, he encouraged choristers to “sing while we walk,” like pilgrims supporting one another on the journey of faith. He also drew from Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who described united voices as a symbol of the harmony that should mark the whole Christian community.

Pope reminded choir members that their work is a ministry of prayer. He encouraged them to cultivate spiritual depth and careful preparation so that their singing leads others into prayer. He warned against treating liturgical music as a performance, saying that choristers are not on a stage but are part of the worshipping community. Their task, he said, is to strengthen unity rather than draw attention to themselves.

Pope Leo acknowledged that tensions can arise within any choir, but he said these groups remain a small family that reflects the wider Church, which continues its journey through history while praising God even in times of difficulty.

He concluded by entrusting all choristers to Saint Cecilia, the patron of musicians. He said her life was itself a beautiful song of love offered to Christ, and he prayed that her example would inspire every choir to serve with joy, humility and faith.

This year’s Jubilee of Choirs brought thousands of singers to Rome, filling the basilica with voices that echoed the message  Pope delivered: a call for unity, service and shared praise that strengthens the entire Church.