Vatican concert benefits disadvantaged children

(Feb. 05, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI was honoured with a special concert Monday evening in Vatican’s Pope Paul VI Hall. The musical event sponsored by the Italian Embassy to the Holy See was organised to honour the Holy Father, to celebrate the 84^th anniversary of the Lateran Pacts signed in 1929 between the Holy See and Italy recognizing the sovereignty of Vatican State. The concert was also to honour Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, as he concludes his seven-year term office.
The private meeting between the Pope and the President took place before the start of the musical event conducted by Zubin Mehta. A communiqué released by Vatican’s Press Office on Tuesday, described the 20 minute talks between the two leaders as very cordial.
The concert was attended by Italy’s top officials and a large gathering of people. At the conclusion of the musical event, Pope Benedict gave a short speech saying that in the past seven years, he has met President Napolitano many times and they have shared experiences and reflections. The Pope a noted musicologist, then dwelt at length on the musical compositions of Verdi and Beethoven directed by Mehta. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Flying angels Foundation, an NGO chaired by the Ambassador of Italy to the Holy See, which provides free airline tickets for disadvantaged children in need of specialized care.