Pope prays to musical accompaniment in new CD

(November 12, 2009) A music album scheduled for release at the end of the month features the singing of Pope Benedict XVI. The album, titled "Alma Mater: Music From the Vatican," showcases recordings of the Pope's voice as he sings various litanies and songs, as provided by Vatican Radio. Produced by Geffen/Universal, the CD includes the Pontiff's voice speaking in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German. He is accompanied by The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, conducted by Monsignor Pablo Colino, as well as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Monsignor Colino stated: "I can say with certainty that Pope Ratzinger has a wonderful musicality. I have known six Popes and none could sing as well as him.” Songs include: Regina Coeli, Advocata Nostra, Sancta Dei Genitrix and Auxilium Cristianorum. Part of the proceeds will go to fund music education for underprivileged children throughout the world, Colin Barlow, president of Geffen Records in Britain, said Tuesday at a presentation of the album at Rome's city hall on Capitol Hill. The sound bites were given to record label Geffen/Universal by Vatican Radio, which owns the rights, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman and Director General of the Radio station.«The pope is open to new ways of evangelization ... to experiment with new ways to transmit a spiritual message that the world greatly needs, » he said. There are nearly 10 minutes of the pope's voice in the 49-minute album.