杏MAP导航

By Robin Gomes

鈥淐丑谤颈蝉迟尘补蝉 is a feast that is heart-felt, participatory and capable of warming the coldest of hearts, that removes barriers of indifference towards neighbours and encourages openness towards others and free giving.鈥�&苍产蝉辫; 鈥淭his is why we need even today to spread the message of peace and brotherhood of Christmas,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said on Friday.  He was speaking to some 180 artists of the 鈥溾�� that will be performing in the Vatican Saturday evening.

Concert for children

The charity concert is marking its 25 years this year.  Funds raised by the concert in the Vatican will support two children鈥檚 projects: the Pontifical Foundation , headquartered in Argentina and a programme to free children enslaved in the coltan mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Sensitive to the needy

The 杏MAP导航 thanked the promoters, artists and those who will be attending the concert, manifesting their sensitiveness to the most needy and those in difficulty who call for our help and solidarity.  Explaining that art is a formidable means to open the doors of the mind and heart to the true meaning of Christmas, the Holy Father said 鈥渢he creativity and genius of artists, with their work, music and singing are able to reach the innermost depths of the conscience.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Tenderness

The 杏MAP导航 wished that Christmas Concert in the Vatican be an occasion for spreading 鈥�tenderness, peace and welcome鈥� that gushes forth from the grotto of Bethlehem. He said that 鈥榯enderness鈥�, the much forgotten word today amidst 鈥渧iolence and war鈥�, needs to be spread.