Vatican: A concert to mark anniversary of Lateran Pacts

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano are guests of honour Monday evening at a special concert in the Paul VI Hall, given by the Italian Embassy to the Holy See. The Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta, will perform Beethoven's Symphony No.3 and "La forza del Destino" by Giuseppe Verdi.

In past years, the concert traditionally took place in the spring, and was hosted by the President of the Republic for the Holy Father, on the anniversary of his election to the pontificate. This year, the concert has been made possible thanks to the contribution of the founder members of the Flying Angels Foundation (chaired by Ambassador of Italy to the Holy See), an NGO founded a year ago with a mandate to provide free airline tickets for disadvantaged children in need of specialized medical care.

The concert was organised to honour President Napolitano, in view of the end of his seven-year term of office and the Holy Father, to celebrate the 84th anniversary of the Lateran Pacts.

All proceeds will go to the charity and its work for the benefit of seriously ill children.