Pope Leo XIV Urges Sacred Music Preservation at Aug. 19 Audience as Church Backs Inculturation
Updated
Updated · ewtnnews.com · Aug 19
Pope Leo XIV Urges Sacred Music Preservation at Aug. 19 Audience as Church Backs Inculturation
3 articles · Updated · ewtnnews.com · Aug 19
Summary
At his Aug. 19 general audience, Pope Leo XIV said sacred music is integral to liturgy, not decoration, and urged composers to preserve the Church’s musical heritage while creating works suited to today’s cultures.
Continuing his catechesis on Sacrosanctum Concilium, Leo said music deepens prayer and builds communion, calling the Church’s musical tradition a treasure of exceptional value.
Leo said liturgical music should be dignified, noble and simple, highlighting Gregorian chant and the pipe organ while allowing other instruments if they suit sacred use and the dignity of worship.
He also pressed for healthy inculturation of local musical traditions and encouraged active participation in Mass through acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, songs and reverent silence.
The audience was held inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the third time this month as Rome’s high summer temperatures kept the weekly gathering indoors.