25th International Festival of Sacred Music and Art

November 21–25, 2026

 in Rome and the Vatican

with the Vienna Philharmonic

We are not only celebrating our 25th anniversary, but also the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

In eternal remembrance of the words that Pope Paul VI (canonized on October 14, 2018) addressed to artists in his closing address at the Second Vatican Council in 1965: “This world in which we live needs beauty so as not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the hearts of people; it is that precious fruit that defies the passage of time, unites generations, and brings them together in admiration.”

Program

Saturday, November 21, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

Holy Mass marking the opening of the 25th International Festival of Sacred Music and Art, celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech

Saturday, November 21, 2026 

(Time and location to be announced)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Coronation Mass for orchestra, choir, and soloists, in C major, K. 317

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, *Ave Verum Corpus*, D-flat major, K. 618

Vienna Philharmonic

The Siena Cathedral Choir “Guido Chigi Saracini”

Riccardo Muti, conductor

Sunday, November 22, 2026, 9:00 p.m.

Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

A Spiritual Celebration in Honor of Pope Leo

Lorenzo Perosi, *Oremus pro Pontifice*, for eight-part choir 

Lorenzo Perosi, Requiem Mass “Leo XIII” for soloists and an 8-part choir

Valentino Miserach’s *Grey*, Mass “Leo XIV” for four-part choir, congregation, and organ

Guillou Consort

Alessandro Perin, organ

Monsignor Valentino Miserachs Grau, conductor

Monday, November 23, 2026, 9:00 p.m.

Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Claudio Monteverdi, Vespers of the Blessed Virgin

Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus

Marios Papadopoulos, conductor

Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 9:00 p.m.

Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Campo Marzio

A Spiritual Celebration Marking the 270th Anniversary of W.A. Mozart's Birth

St. Peter Abbey Music: Salzburg String Quartet

Ekaterina Krasko, soprano

Peter Peinstingl, conductor

Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m.

General Audience with the Holy Father

Subject to change without notice.

Updated on April 24, 2026