A Concert fit for a Pope at Castel Gandolfo

 

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• Castel Gandolfo
• music
• Vatican

Pope Leo XIV: "Beauty helps us lift our gaze toward heaven"

At Castel Gandolfo the Diocese of Albano offers a concert in the Pope's honor for his summer stay. "We live in a world where beauty is lacking. Having the opportunity to come together for an occasion like this is truly a great gift."

By Guglielmo Gallone in Castel Gandolfo

"We live in a world where beauty is lacking. There are so many problems—wars, conflicts, hatred, violence, unemployment, and many other difficulties. Having the opportunity to come together for an occasion like this is truly a great gift, because it reminds us that there is more than all of this. It reminds us that men and women, when we choose to, can join together to reveal a beauty that, from heart to heart, helps us to see and to lift our gaze toward heaven." With these words, Pope Leo XIV greeted those in attendance on Saturday evening at the conclusion of a concert held in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo. The concert was organized by the Diocese of Albano as a sign of closeness and affection for the Pope during his summer stay in the town south of Rome.

The concert in honor of Pope Leo XIV (@Vatican Media)

Lifting our gaze toward heaven

"As you know, just over a month ago I traveled to Spain, and the very purpose of that journey was to lift our eyes, our gaze, toward heaven. Music, art, and beauty are means that help us look upward, moving toward God, and toward what is truly one of the finest aspects of the human person," the Pope continued. Reflecting on the value of music and art, he described them as means capable of raising the human gaze beyond the hardships of the present, pointing to beauty as an experience that leads to God and restores hope. That was precisely what took place during the concert. Violinist Marco Rogliano performed the Polonaise with Variations from Niccolò Paganini's Third Violin Concerto, while pianist Rossana Tomassi Golkar, accompanied by I Musici di Parma orchestra under the direction of Maestro Pier Carlo Orizio, performed Libera fantasia e variazioni sulla Norma by Luis Bacalov, based on Vincenzo Bellini's Norma.

Pope Leo with Rossana Tomassi Golkar, Pier Carlo Orizio, and Marco Rogliano (@Vatican Media)

Pope Leo XIV began by expressing his gratitude to the musicians: "A heartfelt thank you to the artists, who deeply moved me. And thanks to the Diocese of Albano for offering this concert to us—to all of you gathered here—because in these moments of beauty we have truly been able to experience something great: entering, in so many ways, into what God intended in creation, namely beauty," the Pope said.

The Bishop of Albano's remarks

The evening had opened with welcome remarks by the Bishop of Albano, Bishop Vincenzo Viva, who greeted Pope Leo XIV by recalling the local Church's gratitude for the Pope's return to Castel Gandolfo. He explained that the concert was intended to be "our way of saying thank you and of sharing together the gift of symphonic music." Referring to Bellini's Norma, the Bishop also turned his thoughts to "the women and mothers who, in the many theaters of war tearing the world apart, are paying—together with their children and families—the highest price of conflict." He observed that in them is reflected the hope of "a reconciled tomorrow," echoing Pope Leo XIV's appeal for peace, which he has reiterated since the beginning of his pontificate.

Between Paganini and Bellini

The concert program brought into dialogue two leading figures of nineteenth-century Italian music, Niccolò Paganini and Vincenzo Bellini. The two works were united by their lyrical, singing quality, creating a musical journey that wove together instrumental virtuosity and the language of opera. The reinterpretation of Norma, in particular, retraced—through piano and orchestra alone—the protagonist's journey from suffering to forgiveness and self-sacrifice, transforming a personal story into a universal reflection on the power of love and peace. As the concert program noted, it also spoke to beauty's ability to resonate even "through air shaken by the winds of war." It was a message of hope that, from beneath the skies of Castel Gandolfo, aspired to become universal. Fittingly, the concert concluded with a projection of a star-filled sky on the screen framing the orchestra. At the end of the performance, the Holy Father greeted the musicians and those in attendance, pausing for the traditional greeting before leaving the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Leo XIV remembers victims of war and violence after Angelus Address

 

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• Angelus
• Castel Gandolfo
• appeal
• war
• prayer

Pope Leo: May we not forget those who suffer and die due to war

At Castel Gandolfo, after the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV said he continues to follow "with concern the events unfolding in various countries torn apart by war and violence." He urged everyone to unite "our constant prayers" with "generous efforts for peace." He also greeted the many pilgrims gathered in Piazza della Libertà.

By Alessandro Di Bussolo

From the entrance of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, where he is spending a period of rest—with only a few public events and the Sunday Angelus prayer—the Pope once again turned his concern and thoughts to the many conflicts still affecting the world.

“We continue to follow with concern the events unfolding in various countries torn apart by war and violence. Let us not forget those who are suffering and dying because of these conflicts and let us add our constant prayers to the generous efforts for peace.”

Reports of victims in Ukraine and from latest attacks in Iran and Kuwait

Today also reports of casualties were reported in the conflict in Ukraine, with the capital, Kyiv, struck by a heavy Russian missile attack that reportedly killed one person and injured dozens more. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military claims to have carried out operations against Russian military targets in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. At the same time, new U.S. airstrikes have been reported in southern Iran, followed by Tehran's response with missiles and drones targeting U.S. military installations in Kuwait. Iraqi Kurdistan has also been affected. Washington linked the new offensive to last Friday's attack on the Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Jordan, in which two American service members were killed and a third remains missing.

Greetings to Castel Gandolfo residents and visiting pilgrims

Leo XIV then renewed his greetings and gratitude to all the residents of Castel Gandolfo and warmly welcomed the pilgrims "from every part of the world." He offered a special greeting to the Cenacolo Community founded by Mother Elvira, gathered in Saluzzo for the Feast of Life; the New Families Movement of the Focolare Movement, assembled for its International School; Mexican students taking part in the APRA Summer School; and the Catholic Worldview Fellowship group.

Speaking in English, he also greeted the young adult members of Regnum Christi, participating in an international training course for formators, as well as Australian pilgrims taking part in "The Lion Pilgrimage", accompanied by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Percy.

Sunday Papal Angelus from Castel Gandolfo 07.19.2026

 

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• Angelus
• Castel Gandolfo

Pope at Angelus: God's Kingdom grows quietly through love, not force

During his Angelus address, Pope Leo says God's Kingdom grows quietly through humility, patience and love rather than power, urging Christians to trust in His hidden work and become "small seeds of the Gospel" in the world.

By Vatican News

Pope Leo urged Christians to reject the temptation to seek spectacular displays of God's power, reminding the faithful that the Kingdom of God grows quietly and patiently, like a tiny seed or a little yeast working unseen.

Addressing pilgrims gathered for the Sunday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo , the Pope reflected on three parables from Saint Matthew's Gospel - the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast - which, he said, reveal the way God acts in history and in the lives of men and women.

Read the full text of the Pope's address on Sunday

Rather than imposing Himself by force or arriving in triumph, the Pope said, God chooses "smallness" as the sign of His discreet and patient love.

"He leaves us free to accept or reject Him," Pope Leo said, noting that God's love makes its presence felt even "among the weeds," works invisibly like the smallest of seeds, and transforms the world silently, like yeast in dough.

Read also

19/07/2026

Pope Leo: May we not forget those who suffer and die due to war

The Pope acknowledged that many people expect God to intervene dramatically, immediately eliminating evil from the world. Such expectations, he warned, can also shape an unhealthy vision of the Christian life and of the Church.

Instead, he said, Christians are called to recognize that the Kingdom grows even amid the presence of evil. This requires learning to discern the good that continues to emerge despite darkness, resisting the temptation to make hasty judgments, and patiently accompanying the gradual work of God's grace.

The Kingdom, he continued, often appears in the ordinary moments of daily life, growing unnoticed yet constantly at work. Even when God seems absent, the Pope assured the faithful, He is always present and His love is always ready to help.

Pope Leo went on to say that God's way of acting must also become the way Christians live, both personally and as members of the Church.

He encouraged believers to adopt what he described as a "Gospel-centered approach," avoiding arrogance, the desire to dominate others, or the use of power to impose the faith. Instead, Christians should place their trust in God's quiet work.

Quoting the future Pope Benedict XVI, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Leo said Christians are called to embrace "the logic of the seed," which is "not that of success and greatness, but that of making ourselves small and serving others."

In this way, he concluded, Christians can become "small seeds of the Gospel" and "leavens of love" capable of transforming the world from within.

Concluding his reflection, Pope Leo entrusted the faithful to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking her, who welcomed the seed of God's Word in humility, to sustain Christians on their journey of faith.

A look at the health of the Permanent Diaconate via the Diocese of Brooklyn

 

Officials Confident Deacon Formation Is Keeping Pace with Retirements

July 16, 2026
By Bill Miller

The Diocese of Brooklyn ordained 11 men to the permanent diaconate in 2025 (above), part of a formation program that Father Joseph Gibino said remains strong and well-positioned to meet future needs. (Photo: Johnathon Tigsi)

WINDSOR TERRACE — Future ordinations of permanent deacons in the Diocese of Brooklyn are expected to keep pace with deacons aging out of their active ministries, said Father Joseph Gibino, director of the diaconate. 

According to information from the diocese, there are 202 permanent deacons in Brooklyn and Queens; 140 of whom are actively serving, with the remaining 62 in a “senior” deacon status. 

Meanwhile, five-year deacon-formation classes locally are filled with the desired number of candidates who must meet requirements set by the Church. However, according to Father Gibino, the diocese is a trendsetter in deacon formation. 

“Our requirements are a little more strict than some others, but we still are getting 12 to 15 in the class,” he said. “So, we’re doing quite well in terms of the diaconate.” 

RELATED: Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Ordains 11 New Members to Permanent Diaconate

Permanent deacons are ordained by the Church to perform some of the same duties as priests, such as witnessing weddings or performing baptisms, except that they can be married and have children. They can’t, however, celebrate Mass or hear confessions. 

They also differ from “transitional” deacons who are seminarians serving the final year of formation prior to their ordination into the priesthood. 

In May, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) jointly reported that an all-time high was recorded in the total number of permanent deacons in the U.S. — 21,562 of them. 

The report noted that of these deacons,14,879 (69%) are actively serving, including the 570 men ordained in 2025, 11 of whom were from the Diocese of Brooklyn. But further analyses in the Catholic media outlets noted there is a possibility that the record-high could be offset by annual retirements and deaths. 

Still, Father Gibino and Deacon George Velez, coordinator of clergy personnel, expressed confidence in the diocese’s current pace of ordinations.  

Father Gibino explained that class sizes are set based on the available resources — including seminary faculty and priestly “mentors” — needed to train and educate the candidates. The ordinations are usually held every other year in the spring or fall. 

“So, right now, we have two classes,” Father Gibino said. “We have the Class of 2027, who will be ordained at the end of October 2027. And we have the Class of 2030, who would be ordained either in October or November of 2030. 

“And then, we will begin the interview process this fall for those who would be the class of 2032.”  

Deacon Velez added that the class sizes do not represent the number of men who want to become deacons. 

“The 13 to 15 — that’s not how many men are applying,” Deacon Velez said. “It’s how many men are being accepted.” 

Not everyone who applies comes in, at least not on their first try, which is what happened to him. 

“I think what’s happening in the Diocese of Brooklyn is that the scrutiny is getting better,” Deacon Velez said. 

Father Gibino agreed. 

“We have a rather well-thought-out program,” he said, “and we’ve added some things that other dioceses have not.”  

For example, Father Gibino said, the diocese prefers to have deacons with children to begin formation when their kids are teenagers. This, he said, alleviates concerns about childcare and early child development. 

Deacon Velez offered his story as a “case in point.” 

He described how he first applied for the diaconate in 2005 when he was seven years married with five children between the ages of 6 and newborn. 

“The response was ‘Hold off at this time; be a dad,’ ” Deacon Velez recalled. “They said, ‘You have a primary responsibility of being a husband and father, and because they’re so young, it would be wrong for us to pull you away from the family.’ ” 

Deacon Velez thus became an example of how not every applicant is accepted into the formation program on the first attempt. But his second try was in 2017, at which time he succeeded. 

“At that time,” he said, “all my children were much older.” 

Father Gibino noted that exceptions are sometimes made for candidates and their wives who can demonstrate that their childcare issues are adequately covered. 

“We take that really seriously, that children have real needs, and we need to be cognizant of those needs,” Father Gibino said. 

The Diocese of Brooklyn has also added a requirement that candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree when applying to the program, so they can proceed with their graduate degree pursuits. 

Father Gibino noted that if their undergraduate work lacks coursework in theology or philosophy, “we can fill in those pieces.” 

“But,” he added, “they need to be able to move into a graduate theological program.” 

Father Gibino said the language skills of the diaconate reflect the cultural diversity of the “Diocese of Immigrants.” 

“We have the United Nations in our diaconate,” he said. “Right now, in formation we have deacons who speak Lithuanian, Polish, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian (Creole), Italian, and English.” 

Still, the ability to speak English is a requirement for entering the formation program. 

“We cannot teach or form in all these different languages,” Father Gibino explained. “We can get a spiritual director or a mentor, but it is impossible because we’re paired with St. Joseph Seminary, and there are limitations of resources.” 

Deacon Velez estimated that about a third of the current deacons speak Spanish, which is a unique distinction for the diocese. Its deacons include men of diverse heritages from countries throughout Latin America, such as Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. 

Deacon Velez added that the draconite also includes speakers of French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog, to name a few. 

Father Gibino also noted that while some deacons are older, they can still serve. 

According to the USCCB, permanent deacons are expected to step down from formal, full-time administrative and parish assignments at age 75. 

But they can also enter “senior deacon” status, which allows them to keep preaching, baptizing, and assisting at the altar if their health allows and the bishop approves. 

Father Gibino indicated that more requirements might be added in the future. 

“Each year, as we do the end-of-the-year review, we find more areas that we probably need to work on,” he said. “That’s the caveat I always like to give — as good as I think our program is, there’s always room for improvement.”

Saint of the Day for Saturday

 

St. Camillus de Lellis

Feastday: July 18
Patron: of doctors

St. Camillus de Lellis was born at Bocchianico, Italy. He fought for the Venetians against the Turks, was addicted to gambling, and by 1574 was penniless in Naples. He became a Capuchin novice, but was unable to be professed because of a diseased leg he contracted while fighting the Turks. He devoted himself to caring for the sick, and became director of St. Giacomo Hospital in Rome. He received permission from his confessor (St. Philip Neri) to be ordained and decided, with two companions, to found his own congregation, the Ministers of the Sick (the Camellians), dedicated to the care of the sick. They ministered to the sick of Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome, enlarged their facilities in 1585, founded a new house in Naples in 1588, and attended the plague-stricken aboard ships in Rome's harbor and in Rome. In 1591, the Congregation was made into an order to serve the sick by Pope Gregory XIV, and in 1591 and 1605, Camillus sent members of his order to minister to wounded troops in Hungary and Croatia, the first field medical unit. Gravely ill for many years, he resigned as superior of the Order in 1607 and died in Rome on July 14, the year after he attended a General Chapter there. He was canonized in 1746, was declared patron of the sick, with St. John of God, by Pope Leo XIII, and patron of nurses and nursing groups by Pope Pius XI. His feast day is July 18th.