Castel Gandolfo: Pope Leo XIV joined schoolchildren, parents and teachers for a Christmas concert at the Pontifical Paul VI School in Castel Gandolfo, calling on everyone to make Christmas a time of peace love and unity.
Pope made a special visit to the school after leaving nearby Villa Barberini, where he regularly stays. He joined the eleventh edition of the InCanto Christmas concert, performed by pupils of the school, and watched the programme from the front row along with families and guests.
The children, dressed simply in jeans and white shirts, sang well known Christmas carols in Italian Latin English and Spanish. The gymnasium was filled with music and joy as parents teachers and staff looked on. Among those present were the Bishop of Albano Monsignor Vincenzo Viva and Monsignor Giordano Piccinotti, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.
Speaking at the end of the concert, Pope Leo said it was beautiful to hear Christmas songs in different languages. He said that listening to children sing helps people understand that Christmas awakens joy and peace in every heart. He also thanked the school for the invitation, adding with a smile that it had arrived in a mysterious way and that he was happy to accept it.
Reflecting on the songs, the Pope said the children had brought love through their voices. He recalled the words of Saint Augustine, who said that the one who loves sings, because love helps the heart recognise what truly matters. Christmas, he said, is God’s gift of love to humanity, especially to the smallest and most vulnerable.
Pope Leo encouraged everyone to live this spirit not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year. He said the message of Christmas is an invitation to do more to build peace love and unity in the world.
At the end of the programme, the Pope blessed the children and their families and encouraged them to pray together and open their hearts to see God’s presence in the least among us. He was welcomed with warm applause and cheers. The children presented him with a tennis racket and the school uniform, and he posed for a group photograph before leaving.
Pontifical Paul VI School of Castel Gandolfo was founded as a gift to the local community by Pope Paul VI and was inaugurated in September 1968. Today the school educates around 300 pupils and follows a Catholic inspired programme that also includes sports music foreign languages civic education and food education.