Pope Leo XIV will personally attend the “Song of Peace” prayer initiative on the evening of July 29 at the “Borgo Laudato si'” ecology study center in Castel Gandolfo, where renowned singer Andrea Bocelli and young performers from conflict-affected regions will take center stage, according to Vatican correspondent Jānis Evertovskis.
Andrea Bocelli and International Youth Choir to Perform
The concert features the ABF Voices choir as its main act, organized to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Young performers from across the globe will gather to offer a shared prayer for peace. According to program details, the 164-child choir includes participants from Israel, the West Bank, Uganda, Haiti, and Italy.
Organizers designed the musical gathering to highlight universal fraternity. Evertovskis notes that the performance draws direct inspiration from the environmental and peace-building themes found in Saint Francis’s historic writings.
Vatican Staff Invited to Experience Shared Brotherhood
Attendance at the event is extended to employees of the Holy See’s dicasteries, other Roman Curia institutions, and Vatican offices. According to the meeting’s official announcement issued by the Vatican, the entire “Pope’s team of collaborators” is invited to experience a moment of shared brotherhood.
The gathering aims to help staff members realize that their daily work within the Vatican constitutes a direct service to peace, reconciliation, and the defense of human dignity alongside the wider Church, per the announcement text.
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Lasting Relevance of the Franciscan Peace Message
Eight centuries after the death of Saint Francis, his message of peace remains vital in a contemporary world scarred by war, division, and humanitarian crises, according to Vatican reporting. The initiative emphasizes that true peace emerges only when individuals recognize one another as brothers and sisters, care for mutual needs, and protect creation.
By bringing together children from regions torn apart by conflict, the Castel Gandolfo gathering serves as a living demonstration of these centuries-old principles applied to modern geopolitical realities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the “Song of Peace” event taking place?
The prayer initiative takes place on the evening of July 29 at the “Borgo Laudato si'” ecology study center located in Castel Gandolfo, according to Vatican announcements.
Who is performing at the Vatican peace concert?
Italian singer Andrea Bocelli and the 164-member ABF Voices choir—comprising children from Israel, the West Bank, Uganda, Haiti, and Italy—will perform.
Who is invited to attend the gathering in Castel Gandolfo?
Employees from the Holy See’s dicasteries, Romas Curia institutions, and general Vatican offices are invited to participate in the event alongside Pope Leo XIV, according to the official meeting announcement.
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