Pope Francis addressed a gathering of over 200 artists, including musicians, writers, poets, and other creative individuals, beneath Michelangelo’s renowned frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. He urged them to embody the spirit of prophets by seeking true beauty and using their art to challenge and transform the societies they inhabit.
The Pope emphasised that artists and prophets possess the ability to perceive the depths of reality while also gaining a wider perspective, enabling them to envision profound truths. He urged them to reject the allure of artificial and superficial beauty, which often aligns with economic systems that perpetuate inequality.
The audience with this international group of artists commemorated the 50th anniversary of St. Paul VI inaugurating the modern and contemporary art collection in the Vatican Museums. The celebration took place with a Mass in the Sistine Chapel, bringing together artists from around the world.
Pope Francis encouraged the artists to distance themselves from portraying a “cosmetic” form of beauty that merely masks reality, instead urging them to create art that acts as a conscientious critique of society, revealing hidden truths. He compared their role to that of biblical prophets who courageously confront uncomfortable issues and expose the falsehoods, consumerism, and power dynamics prevalent in contemporary society.
One approach the Pope highlighted was the use of irony, which he described as a marvelous virtue. He noted that the Bible often employs irony to expose the pretensions of self-sufficiency, dishonesty, injustice, and cruelty masquerading under the guise of power or even the sacred.
After the audience, American poet Patricia Lockwood expressed her appreciation for the Pope’s encouragement to use humour respectfully when dealing with religiosity. Lockwood, known for her humorous writing style, stated that it was reassuring to know that there is space for individuals like her to explore religious themes in their work, challenging false piety.
The gathering also included novelist Jhumpa Lahiri, directors Ken Loach and Abel Ferrara, and various prominent Italian artists. Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, which organised the meeting, emphasised that Pope Francis has long sought an alliance with the world of art, considering artists as partners in envisioning a better world.
According to the Pope, art and faith share a disruptive nature, continually challenging and transforming the status quo. He highlighted that genuine beauty, as revealed by artists, is a reflection of harmony that embraces multiplicity rather than enforcing uniformity.
In the context of today’s media-dominated world, marked by ideological colonisation and devastating conflicts, the Pope stressed the importance of harmony. He acknowledged that even the Church experiences the impact of these conflicts, which, under the pretense of unity, give rise to divisions, factions, and forms of narcissism.
Bishop Paul Tighe, the secretary for the culture section of the dicastery, stated that there were no specific criteria for selecting the artists invited to the audience. However, he emphasised the Vatican’s desire to engage with modern artists and foster a dialogue, recognising the unique perspectives and ways in which artists perceive the world.
While the meeting took place in one of Catholicism’s most iconic settings, Bishop Tighe noted that the Vatican aims to involve itself in artistic events that extend beyond religious contexts, such as literary festivals and musical performances. He cited the Holy See’s participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale as an example, affirming the Vatican’s intent to welcome and support artists as friends.
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