Grace for the World: A Musical Celebration of Fraternity and Social Friendship
A concert featuring renowned musicians like Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, Karol G, BamBam, and Angélique Kidjo will take place in St. Peter’s Square next month. The free event, titled “Grace for the World,” will mark the conclusion of the third edition of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity. The concert will be accompanied by a drone light show and discussions on various themes such as peace, justice, food, freedom, and humanity.
The Fratelli Tutti Foundation, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is organizing the event in collaboration with St. Peter’s Basilica. The foundation aims to promote fraternity and social friendship, as highlighted in the pope’s encyclical and the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” signed with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb in 2019. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, president of the foundation, emphasized the symbolic significance of the concert in spreading the message of fraternal love to the world.
The lineup of artists for the concert reflects a diverse and international selection, with artists like Karol G, Jelly Roll, John Legend, Teddy Swims, Pharrell Williams, BamBam, and Angélique Kidjo set to perform. The event will also feature the Diocese of Rome choir and the Voices of Fire Gospel choir. Andrea Bocelli expressed his honor in participating in the concert, hoping that it will inspire a sense of brotherhood and humanity among the audience.
The World Meeting on Human Fraternity 2025 will kick off with a meeting with Pope Leo XIV on September 12, followed by roundtable discussions on various topics including artificial intelligence, education, economics, literature, children, health, and the environment. The program will culminate on September 13 with an assembly on the theme of “What It Means to Be a Human Today” and a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Holy Door of the Jubilee of Hope. Father Francesco Occhetta, SJ, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the essence of humanity amidst the challenges faced by the world today.