Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on the Catholic Church to recognize sacred music as an important part of worship, saying its main purpose is to glorify God and help believers grow in holiness.
Speaking during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope continued his reflections on the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. This week, he focused on the document’s teaching about sacred music and its important place in the life of the Church.
Pope Leo explained that sacred music should not be treated as something added to the liturgy simply to make a celebration more attractive. Instead, he said, music is part of the liturgical action itself because it gives expression to prayer, communicates the faith of the Church and helps people enter more deeply into the mystery being celebrated.
He pointed to the Second Vatican Council’s description of the musical tradition of the universal Church as a treasure of great value. For the Pope, this tradition has an important role in helping the faithful experience worship not only through words but also through sound, melody and the shared voice of the community.
The Pope said that singing during the liturgy is itself a form of prayer. When people sing together, they bring their hearts into harmony with one another and with God. This shared participation, he explained, can help open the human heart to God’s grace.
Pope Leo also referred to the famous words of Saint Augustine, who connected singing with love. He explained that music can express the emotional side of prayer and allow people to respond to God with their whole heart.
Another important role of sacred music, according to the Pope, is building communion. When a congregation sings together, differences between people can be set aside as everyone joins in the same act of praise. In this way, music can become a visible expression of the unity that is at the heart of the Church.
The Pope stressed, however, that not every type of music is automatically suitable for the liturgy. Sacred music should be carefully chosen according to the particular celebration and the moment within the liturgy. It should be noble and simple, while also maintaining a high standard of musical quality.
At the same time, Pope Leo said music used by the whole congregation should be accessible enough for people to participate. Sacred songs should be meaningful and understandable, with their inspiration coming especially from the Bible, the liturgical books and the spiritual tradition of the Church.
The Pope also spoke about the importance of preserving the Church’s musical heritage. He highlighted the special place given by the Second Vatican Council to Gregorian chant, while making clear that other forms of sacred music can also have a place in Catholic worship.
He recalled the Council’s appreciation for the organ, describing it as an instrument traditionally associated with the Latin Church and capable of adding beauty to religious celebrations and lifting people’s thoughts towards God. Other instruments can also be used, he said, when they are appropriate for sacred worship.
Pope Leo further addressed the responsibility of composers and musicians. He said they should know and preserve the Church’s musical heritage while also allowing it to inspire new compositions that can speak to people living in different cultures and circumstances today.
He also recalled the teaching of Pope Saint John Paul II about the need to protect worship from music and texts that lack dignity or fail to serve the sacred character of the celebration. Artistic quality is important, but the Pope explained that liturgical music cannot be judged only as an artistic work. It must also serve the liturgy itself.
This means that music should fit the words being sung, the particular moment of worship and the gestures and character of the celebration. A beautiful piece of music may not necessarily be appropriate if it does not support the prayer and purpose of the liturgy.
Pope Leo also stressed the importance of proper education in sacred music. He recalled the Church’s call for adequate formation in seminaries, religious houses and Catholic institutions. Musicians and singers, he said, need both musical ability and a strong understanding of the liturgy so that they can properly serve the worshipping community.
The Pope ended his reflection by recalling the early Christian understanding of singing as a sign of unity within the Church. He referred to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who encouraged Christians to come together as a choir and sing with one voice to God through Jesus Christ.
For Pope Leo, this remains an important message for the Church today. Sacred music is not simply about performance or entertainment. At its best, it brings people together, gives voice to their prayer and helps them encounter God.
His message also places responsibility on those who compose, lead and perform music during Catholic celebrations. Their task is not only to produce beautiful sounds but to help the entire congregation participate in worship.
Ultimately, the Pope returned to the central purpose of sacred music. It should lead people towards God while helping them grow in faith and holiness. When music serves that purpose, it becomes more than an artistic expression. It becomes a form of prayer and a powerful expression of the Church’s shared faith.