Pope attends Mozart concert to celebrate Rome's 2,759th birthday

Published: 2006-04-24

ROME (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI helped celebrate Rome's 2,759th birthday by attending a concert featuring works by his favorite composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The pope was the guest of honor April 21 at Rome's Auditorium, where he was welcomed by Mayor Walter Veltroni, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and several hundred invited guests. The 79-year-old pontiff, who has played piano since his youth, called the music "delightful." He said many of Mozart's works, in particular the "Ave Verum" performed in the Auditorium, were invitations to prayer. This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. The pope said music has the capacity to "elevate the soul to contemplation." The human genius for creating beautiful things reflects in some ways the beauty of the Creator, he said.

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