Pope Leo XIV Thanks Riccardo Muti for Expressing God's Existence Through Beauty

Maestro Riccardo Muti conducts a concert at the Vatican

This past Friday night, Maestro Riccardo Muti took his place on the podium of Paul VI Hall as He conducted the “Luigi Cherubini” Youth Orchestra and “Guido Chigi Saracini” Choir of Siena Cathedral in a performance of Charles X (1825) coronation mass with Pope Leo XIV and some officials from the Vatican.

On December 18, 2007, a concert honoring the Pope as he approaches the first Christmas of his Petrine Ministry occurred; this concert also honored the awarding of the 2025 Ratzinger Prize to an internationally-acclaimed conductor. Music, the Spirit, and the Human Experience Pope Leo spoke about how music connects to faith and humanity in his closing remarks following the concert. He referenced St. Augustine’s definition of musicscientia bene modulandi as the “art of directing the heart towards God.”

Pope Leo XIV on Music, Faith, and Human Dignity

The Pope observed that "music serves as a means to comprehend the inherent dignity of humanity and to affirm one’s calling.

He stressed for both Muti’s eternal devotion to music and the significance of the dialogue music presents with the Church as well as for his own relationship with Pope Benedict XVI, who presented the Maestro with the Grand Cross of St. Gregory the Great. In honour of Pope Benedict, Muti referred to the relationship he built with Cardinal Ratzinger during their time together in Salzburg, Munich and Rome, all of which created an appreciation for the value of music as providing both opportunities for reflection and accountability in terms of morality.

According to Palmer, it is realistic to present the Ratzinger Prize to someone that embodies preserving what he believed to be the greatest characteristics of creation - God's presence through beauty, so that when those people see them experience this same thing through God's love.

The Prize presented today, the Pope remarked, perpetuates that dialogue, “embracing mystery and directed towards the common good, as well as towards harmony.”

Young Artists and the Right to Education

He additionally stressed the engagement of young artists with Maestro Muti and his ongoing dedication to furthering education and growth, as well as the fact that millions of children around the world are still without access to formal education. Therefore, he championed establishing the Observatory for Inequality and Access to Education, which was recently revealed during the Special Jubilee of the Educational World Conference, with the purpose of bringing together all sides to find ways for universal access to education.

Muti's Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI

Muti, Benedict, and Mozart. Before the Pope was to address Muti he thanked him from his heart and expressed his love for the Holy Father by saying "I have loved you since the first moment we met".

He gave a short, free-form speech reflecting on his artistic path, as well as on his time as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra throughout that time. In particular, he remembered his long-standing relationship with Pope Benedict XVI, which he called, “the relationship of a devout Catholic with a wonderful Pope and incredible theologian."

Muti stated that they had talked about music multiple times and that one time shortly before the passing of Benedict (the pope emeritus), the ailing pope was considering Mozart's statement, "the mystery/infinite exists between the notes."

When Muti exited, Benedict stated, "It is my opinion that Mozart is a physical representation of God on Earth (...) May that unfortunate man Mozart be able to rest in peace, abusively." Every child's right to an education and commerce within the arts must be ensured.

Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça on Education and Beauty

Just before Francisco Lombardi's remarks and the Pope's address, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça said thank you to the Maestro and highlighted how important both the education and spirit of this evening were to him as an advocate for this event as Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

He paid tribute to Muti's commitment to helping young musicians and said that we have experienced a Mass with them that goes beyond just being a piece of music for use in the courts; it is also a spiritual, uplifting journey through our hands and voices.

The Cardinal Prefect emphasized the significance of the young performers, stating, “Their demonstration of skill, discipline, and dedication serves as a powerful testament.

While we recognize the advantages of music for youth through education and personal growth, it is critical to point out the harsh truth of the present day. 61 million young people across the globe are currently not able to go to school, and 161 million more do not have the chance to attend secondary schools. These numbers represent wounds that are very deep.

He noted that "beauty does not take away the darkness in this world, it shines a light on it to give us the courage to face it." Furthermore, he stated that the concert going on tonight would be both an appeal and an invitation to act on behalf of those children who are marginalized, so that every child will have the chance to receive an education.

The Ratzinger Prize and the Principles of Spiritual Values

Before issuing an invitation to the pope to receive the award, Father Federico Lombardi SJ and president of the Ratzinger Foundation, introduced the Prize and noted that Muti's work expresses the same essential values that represent the mission of the Foundation.

He stated, "The profoundness of his interpretation of sacred music persists in shaping the connection among music, the Church, and faith.

When thinking about the relationship between Joseph Ratzinger and Maestro Muti, Father Lombardi noted: “The mutual admiration and strong bond between Maestro Muti and Pope Benedict XVI—demonstrated during private meetings—makes it appropriate and possibly essential to award him the honor named after the Pope/Theologian/Musician.”