Vatican City, Jun 26, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In what will be his first appearance since the beginning of his pontificate in a televised performance at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI will attend the concert “Many Hearts Gathered Around the Pope, Messenger of Peace,” which will take place in his honor on June 28.
Like his predecessor John Paul II, Pope Benedict will attend the traditional concert scheduled for the eve of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Organizers said that during the concert, “the musical numbers will be separated by special messages of peace and hope, in order to bear witness to the Church’s closeness to people.”
The concert will be held at the Vatican’s Nervi Hall and will feature several singers, including Andrea Bocelli, as well as a choir from the Ivory Coast and groups from Poland and Jordan. The event will be broadcast by Channel 5 in Italy and via satellite by Sat2000.