Pope Benedict XVI on Art: a beautiful symphony of truth and charity

60 of the world’s best artists in fields ranging from painting to sculpture, from music to architecture, donated works – mostly originals – for the exhibition “The Splendour of Truth, the Beauty of Charity”. In remarks to the contributors and organizers on Monday at the inauguration of the exhibition in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall, Pope Benedict XVI launched what he called a friendly and heartfelt appeal to artists everywhere. “Never separate truth and charity from your artistic creativity,” he said, “never seek beauty far from truth and charity, but rather with the richness of your genius, of your creative impulse, be ever and with courage, seekers of truth and witnesses of charity; make the truth shine forth in your works and make sure that their beauty will inspire in the eyes and hearts of those who admire them, the desire and the need to make existence beautiful and true - all existence, enriching it by that treasure, which is inexhaustible, which makes life a masterpiece and every person an extraordinary artist: charity, love.” The exhibition is being hosted in the Paul VI Hall here at the Vatican from July 4 to September 4^th.

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