Pope Leo XIV Hails Sacred Polyphony as Metaphor of Faith

Vatican City, June 18, 2025: Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most influential composers in the history of sacred music, during a commemorative event held on Wednesday evening in the Sala Regia of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. The function was held to mark the 500th birth anniversary of the great composer and organist, whose music continues to nourish the Church and the liturgy today. The event was organised by the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation and featured a choir which performed several songs composed by Palestrina.

In his address to all the attendees present at the event, the Pope emphasised the enduring spiritual and liturgical value of Palestrina’s sacred polyphony, calling it a living expression of faith guided by the Holy Spirit.

The occasion included the unveiling of a Vatican commemorative stamp celebrating the "Cinquecentenario Palestriniano". Pope Leo described the event as both a tribute to a historic figure and a reaffirmation of sacred music’s place in contemporary worship.

“His compositions, solemn and austere, inspired by Gregorian chant”, Pope Leo said, “fuse music and liturgy in a way that elevates the soul and gives voice to the mystery of the divine.”

Highlighting the theological dimension of polyphony, the Pope likened its interplay of distinct melodic lines to the Church’s shared journey of faith. “Polyphony is not merely a musical technique; it is a form imbued with theological meaning,” he said. “This dynamic unity in diversity is a metaphor for our walk with the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Leo also referenced Palestrina’s role during the Counter-Reformation, noting how his music supported the Church’s renewal and spiritual outreach. He singled out "Missa Papae Marcelli" as a crowning example of sacred polyphony, and honoured the late Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, former director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, for continuing Palestrina’s legacy in the modern era.

Echoing the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on active participation in the liturgy, the Pope stressed that well-composed sacred music can unite voice, mind, and heart. 

“When liturgical music is inspired by faith and shaped with skill, it becomes a path to prayer,” he affirmed.

Concluding with words from St. Augustine, Pope Leo urged the faithful to persevere in hope and harmony: “Sing, but walk! Do not stray from the road. Do not turn back. Do not stop.”

He encouraged all present, especially during the Jubilee Year, to see sacred music not only as a historical treasure but as a living tradition that continues to inspire and strengthen the Church. 

“Let us sing and walk,” he said. “Let us build bridges of beauty and faith.”

Courtesy: Vatican News