ROME: BEACON OF CIVILIZATION AND SPIRITUALITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, Benedict XVI attended a concert organized in his honor by the local authorities of Rome at the city's "Parco della Musica" Auditorium to mark the occasion of the 2759th anniversary of the foundation of the Eternal City.

  Returning to Rome from his Castelgandolfo residence in mid afternoon, the Pope travelled directly to the auditorium where he was welcomed by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, Walter Veltroni, mayor of Rome, and other civil and religious authorities.

  At the end of the concert, the Pope delivered a brief address in which he described the anniversary of the foundation of the city as "an appropriate occasion to seek a better understanding of Rome's vocation as a beacon of civilization and spirituality for the entire world."
   
  He continued: "Rome has played a special role over the centuries, thanks to the encounter between its traditions and Christianity; and it remains an important attraction for many visitors today, drawn here by a rich artistic heritage largely linked to the city's Christian history."

  After recalling how the concert was organized "to recall the first anniversary of my pontificate," the Pope mentioned the generosity and openness of the people of Rome, which "I myself was able to experience from my first meeting with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square on April 19, 2005."

  The Pope also expressed his gratitude for the decision to play "music from the works of Mozart, a great composer who left an indelible mark in history. This year marks the 250th anniversary of his birth and various initiatives have been planned throughout 2006 which has been justly called the 'Year of Mozart'."

  He concluded: "The pieces played by the orchestra and choir of the Santa Cecilia Academy are well known works by Mozart, among them some of significant religious inspiration. The 'Ave verum' for example, which is often sung during liturgical celebrations, is a composition of rich theological words with a musical accompaniment that invites one to prayer. In this way music, raising the soul to contemplation, helps us to grasp even the most intimate traces of human genius, in which something of the incomparable beauty of the Creator of the universe is reflected."
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