HOLY FATHER ADDRESSES CONGRESS ON SACRED MUSIC

VATICAN CITY, JAN 27, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Consistory Hall, Pope John Paul met 80 participants in the International Congress of Sacred Music, including composers, musicians, specialists in liturgy and teachers of sacred music. He also greeted representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Lutheran World Federation and the Jewish community.

In his talk to them in French, Spanish, English and Italian, the Pope underscored the history of sacred music and the multiple forms it has taken over the centuries in the Church, including Gregorian Chant, polyphony and popular religious music. He recalled that it was "following the ancient Jewish tradition, in which Christ and the disciples were nourished, that sacred music developed throughout the centuries on all continents, according to the genius of each culture, and showing the magnificent creative elan displayed by the various liturgical families of East and West."

The Holy Father remarked that "Gregorian chant is an integral part of the liturgy" and "a unique and universal spiritual and cultural patrimony ... at the service of the Word of God. Its influence on the development of music in Europe was considerable." He added that the Church "also shows that it is hospitable to other musical forms, especially polyphony."

"The 20th century, especially the second half," he pointed out, "saw a development of popular religious music in line with the desire expressed by the Second Vatican Council that it be 'skillfully fostered'. This form of singing is especially suitable for the participation of the faithful, both in devotional practices and in the liturgy itself. It requires qualities of creativity of the composers and poets."

John Paul II then made reference to the many celebrations during the Holy Year, stating that "Gregorian chant, classical and contemporary polyphony, popular hymns, especially the Hymn of the Great Jubilee, made possible liturgical celebrations which were fervent and of high quality."

The Pope then paid homage to an Italian artist, recalling that "today ... we are commemorating the centenary of the death of the great composer Giuseppe Verdi, who owed much to the Christian heritage."

In concluding remarks, the Holy Father said that "the application of Vatican Council II orientations on the renewal of sacred music and liturgical song ... today calls for a solid formation of pastors and faithful on the cultural, spiritual, liturgical and musical levels."

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