"Laten we met Kerstmis bouwen aan vrede en eenheid", zei de paus tegen de basisschoolleerlingen.

A special visit marked the eleventh edition of the Christmas concertInCanto, performed by the pupils of the Pontifical Paul VI School of Castel Gandolfo. Among those attending this afternoon was Pope Leo XIV. After leaving the nearby Villa Barberini, where he regularly stays on Tuesdays, the Pope visited the school and then joined the pupils and their families in the gymnasium for the musical performance.

The concert was an occasion for the children to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to underline that true richness is not measured by what one receives, but by the peace one can generate within oneself and in relationship with others.

Christmas awakens joy and peace

The pupils, all dressed in jeans and white shirts, took their places on the tiered stage. Smiling and visibly moved, they performed a selection of Christmas carols. The melodies ofAdeste fideles,Joy to the World,Noël NoëlandAstro del cielfilled the festively decorated gymnasium, crowded with parents, teachers, and school staff. The Bishop of Albano, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva, the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, Monsignor Giordano Piccinotti, and the Pope were seated in the front row.

“At the end of the concert,” Pope Leo said, “It was beautiful to listen to Christmas songs in Italian, Latin, English and Spanish.” Hearing children sing in different languages, he said, helps everyone to understand that Christmas awakens joy and peace in everyone's heart. The Pope also expressed his gratitude for the invitation, adding, with a smile, that it had arrived “mysteriously” and that he was happy to have accepted it.

An invitation to do more for peace

Reflecting on one of the songs performed, with lyrics referring to “angels who bring love,” the Pope noted that the children themselves had brought love through their music. He recalled the words of Saint Augustine, who said that “the one who loves sings,” because love enables the heart to grasp what truly matters.

“God wished to communicate to all of us the gift of love: this is what Christmas is,” Pope Leo said, emphasising that God draws close to humanity, especially to the smallest and most vulnerable. He expressed the hope that this spirit, celebrated at Christmas, might be lived out not only in these days but throughout the year. Quoting the refrain of another song, the Pope added, “For us this is a great invitation: to do more to proclaim peace, love and unity in the world.”

Seeing God in the least among us

At the conclusion, Pope Leo offered his blessing to the children and their families, encouraging them to pray together and to open their hearts to recognise God’s presence, especially in the smallest ones.

The Pope was greeted with applause and joyful cheers. He received a tennis racket and the school uniform as gifts, and posed for a commemorative photograph with the pupils before leaving.

The Pontifical Paul VI School

The Pontifical Paul VI School of Castel Gandolfo is a Catholic primary school located about 700 metres from Villa Barberini. Pope Paul VI promoted its construction as a gift to the local community, and it was inaugurated by the Pope himself on 12 September 1968. On that occasion, he highlighted the importance of Catholic education for children and young people.

Today, the school welcomes around 300 pupils and offers an educational programme inspired by Catholic principles, enriched by extracurricular activities including sports, music, foreign languages, civic education and food education.