Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV will lead a special prayer gathering called Canticle of Peace on Wednesday evening at Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo, bringing together music, prayer and young voices from different parts of the world in a message of hope, peace and unity.
The event will begin at 9.30 p.m. Central European Time and will be streamed live by Vatican News on its website and YouTube channel, allowing people around the world to take part in the gathering. It is being organised by the Laudato si’ Higher Education Centre together with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
The prayer meeting is part of the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose message of peace, care for creation and love for humanity continues to inspire people across the world. The gathering reflects those same values by bringing together children and young people from communities that have faced hardship and conflict.
Renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will provide the musical accompaniment during the event. He will be joined by the ABF Voices choir, made up of 164 children and young people from Israel, the West Bank, Uganda, Haiti and Italy.
Each member of the choir brings a unique personal story. Many of the young singers have experienced difficult circumstances, including war, poverty and other forms of suffering. Despite their different backgrounds, they will stand together in song as a sign of friendship, understanding and reconciliation.
Organisers say the choir represents the power of music to overcome barriers of language, culture and conflict. By singing together, the children hope to show that art can become a universal language that encourages dialogue, builds hope and strengthens peace among people from different nations.
The gathering also highlights the mission of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which supports educational and humanitarian projects for children and communities facing challenging conditions around the world. Through initiatives such as ABF Voices, the foundation seeks to create opportunities that promote inclusion, dignity and personal growth.
Pope Leo XIV's participation underlines the Catholic Church's continuing call for peace at a time when many regions of the world continue to experience conflict and humanitarian crises. By praying alongside children whose lives have been affected by violence and hardship, the Pope hopes to encourage a renewed commitment to dialogue, solidarity and compassion.
The choice of Castel Gandolfo as the venue also reflects the peaceful atmosphere of the papal residence, providing a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to prayer, reflection and fraternity.
As voices from five different countries come together in a single choir, the Canticle of Peace gathering is expected to offer a powerful reminder that unity is possible even in a divided world. Through prayer, music and the witness of young people, the event aims to inspire people everywhere to work for a future built on peace, mutual respect and hope.