Dresden Kapellknaben delight Pope Francis in the Vatican!

Dresden Kapellknaben delight Pope Francis in the Vatican!

On October 2, 2024, Pope Francis received a group of pilgrims from Saxony in the Vatican. Around 80 participants were present in this private audience, including representatives of the Evangelical and Catholic adult education of Saxony, committed members of the Saxon pilgrimage, the Dresden Kapellknaben as well as high -ranking church members such as Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers and state bishop Tobias Bilz. The audience took place in the Apostolic Palace, a place that is often used for such a meeting.

In his speech he kept in Italian, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of pilgrimage. He explained: "Pilgrims have to make its way" and reminded the group that this path can be intended as a symbol for the path of life, the highest goal of which is God himself. The Pope expressed his gratitude for the ecumenical orientation of the trip and particularly praised the use of volunteers in the pilgrim group. "My special thanks go to you," he said, "because with your free service you give you a particularly credible testimony."

a musical gift

The Dresden Kapellbnaben caused a surprise by presenting the Pontifex a musical piece. Cathedral conductor Christian Bonath had created a composition for this purpose, which bears the title of the entitlement of the encyclical "Lauato Si" by Pope Francis. After the premiere, the Pope received the score of the play. During the audience, the chapel boys also sang a setting of the 150th psalm by Ernani Aguiar, which possibly raised memories of the Pope's South American home. Francis thanked the chapel boys for their harmonious performance, which reminded him of the work of the Holy Spirit: "Thank you for this wonderful harmony. The harmony that the many voices find is a nice testimony to your faith."

With a view to the upcoming anniversary of German unity, the Pope spoke about the importance of the peaceful revolution of 1989, which began in Saxony. He recalled that the Bible had many examples in store in which a small big one grows and praised the peaceful circumstances under which this change happened: "It was like a miracle that not a single shot was fired at the time." This quote underlines the size of the moment and the hope that many people moved at that time.

After addressing and musical performance, the Dresden Kapellknaben, together with the papal choir of the Sistine Chapel, designed the opening service of the world synod in St. Peter's Square. This occasion offered the pilgrims the opportunity to be part of an important church event and emphasized the connection between the different faiths and communities.

For more information about this event and the words of the Pope, a detailed consideration on www.bistum-dresden-meissen.de referred.