The Pope is Singing. Are You?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The National Catholic Reporter wrote that on the first Sunday after his election last May, Pope Leo XIV led thousands of people in Vatican Square in singing the traditional noontime prayer, Regina Coeli, rather than reciting it as all his predecessors had done before him. Since then, Leo has taken to singing at Papal Audiences generating a singing community – all in the praise of God. The Pope has sung at many of the masses he has celebrated these past months, and at some of his public appearances; he has even joined Canadian singer Michael Bublé on an occasion highlighting the Pope’s call for unity through a joyful vocal ministry. Pope Leo has said several times, “Our singing belongs to those who love.” In other words, if we love – love all things, love all people, we cannot hold back from singing. 

Pope Leo took piano lessons as a child. He can read sheet music. Once, he received a famous Italian conductor at his residence and played a piece by Béla Bartók on the piano. And that is no simple achievement! He has said, “Music is like a bridge which leads us to God.” 

I imagine Pope Leo singing in the shower or singing as his driver gets him from one place to another, singing or humming at times when he fumbles through his work pile organizing his letters and notes, speeches and mail, humming some tune he likes to lessen the burden of what he needs to do. I see him humming his way to his dining room and to his chapel, to his bedroom and to his study. He is a man immersed in music and he lets it move him in a way to share it with those who look to him for guidance. If I could say anything to him, it would be: Keep singing, Leo. Keep sharing your joy with us. We need your example.

According to The Catholic Reporter article, psychologists tell us that singing is a must for personal happiness and overall good health. Group singing is a true mood boost! It increases our levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and may promote feelings of social connection and bonding. Singing in unison synchronizes breath and heart rates and reduces stress. It is often called “the world’s greatest stress reliever.”

Choral and voice teachers are like art teachers. They repeatedly tell students: “You do not have to be talented to do this.” I never quite believed this canard until I taught fourth grade, and the principal told me that the pastor wanted a boys’ choir to sing Christmas Mass that year. 

“You want me to train them?” 

“Yep.” 

“But I’m a poor singer. I find it hard to carry a tune.” 

“I’m not asking you to sing with them,” she said, “only to train them.” 

So, I trained the boys with the help of a teacher who could play the piano. On Christmas, the choir gave it their all – in their new choir garbs and holding candles as they processed into the darkened church. Oh, it was a tear-jerker! But they sang their hearts out and so did I, the discordant alto standing in front of them. Now I sing in the shower, and I sing when working on a challenging project or painting in my little studio or when driving somewhere with my dog. She is my greatest audience, as all my dogs have been. She sometimes howls along, windows down, ears flapping and other drivers honking their horns and laughing. 

Reflection

There is a video on YouTube showing Pope Leo as Archbishop in Peru singing with a youth group for a Christmas show. He belts out Feliz Navidad with a fervor of Mick Jagger on steroids. His joy is infectious, his bandmates delirious. If you contrast the video with his singing of Regina Coeli, you get the feeling this man can sing with any group because the idea is to share happiness and give praise whether on a makeshift stage with young people or the papal apartment window with thousands singing along. I see in him a leader who sings from a heart full of joy and appreciation for all that is beautiful and of God. I see him as humble enough to sing with teenagers and holy enough to sing with the Church-at-large. I bet he sings in the shower!!

Reading about Pope Leo XIV and his penchant for singing, I could not but think of the difference between him and the other American world leader who prefers to sour his rhetoric with ridicule and obscenity. Would you rather chum with the guy who verbally bullies others, or the guy who sings from his heart?

Some questions to ponder this week might be:

Do I show the joy of being a Christian by singing with a happy heart?

Do I work on being joyful?

Do I sing with a heart of gladness?

What struck me in this post that I need to remember?

Remember: “All God’s people sing in the choir; some sing low, some sing higher…” 

Have a wonderful, song-filled week, you my readers…and you my Anonymous Angels!!