Thousands of young choir singers from around the world sing for pope

Published: 2005-12-30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The musical conductor told his young choir singers not to cheer, but to continue singing when Pope Benedict XVI appeared in the Vatican's audience hall. But it was hard to contain the enthusiasm of thousands of young people when they finally saw the pope walk into the Vatican's Paul VI hall. The harmonious strains of "gloria in excelsis Deo" ("glory to God in the highest") quickly gave way to high-pitched squeals of joy, enthusiastic applause and chants of "Be-ne-det-to." Close to 5,000 young choir singers, their family members, friends and choirmasters from 15 different countries were taking part in the Dec. 28-Jan. 1 International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome. Of the 88 children's choir groups attending the papal audience and the congress, 10 different choirs came from the United States. Most choir members ranged from 8 years old to high school age.

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