Sistine Chapel Choir director: ‘strong continuity’ in music between Popes Benedict, Francis

May 19, 2016

In a tour described by the Vatican newspaper as a “clear ecumenical signal,” the Sistine Chapel Choir, directed by Father Massimo Palombella, is visiting Germany.

The choir has performed at a Lutheran church in Wittenberg and the Catholic cathedral in Berlin and was scheduled to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel. On May 19, the choir is scheduled to sing at Vespers in the Lutheran Frauenkirche in Dresden.

In an interview with Die Welt, Father Palombella said that the choir’s mission is evangelization and that there is a “strong continuity of views on music” between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, both in the selection of music for papal Masses and in appreciation of music in general.

 

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Further information:

• Sguardo su Lutero alla vigilia del quinto centenario della Riforma (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 4)
• "Der Petersdom? Schlecht zum Singen, viel zu groß" (Die Welt)