Pope inaugurates art exhibition on 60 years of his priesthood

(July 04, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday urged artists to seek the truth and bear witness to charity in their creative pursuits so as to arouse in their admirers the desire to transform their lives and make them true and beautiful. The Pope’s exhortation came in his talk to 60 artists who contributed to an art exhibition in the Vatican, titled “The Splendour of Truth, the Beauty of Charity,” in homage to 60 years of the Pope Benedict’s priesthood marked on Wednesday, June 29. The artists participating in this initiative, most of them Italian, represent different categories: painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, literature, poetry, music, cinema and jewellery design. Speaking to them at the inauguration of the exhibition at the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, the Pope explained that it is from the symphony and perfect harmony of truth and charity that authentic beauty emanates which arouses admiration, marvel and true joy in the hearts of men. He said that the world we live is in need of the truth that shines and that is not blurred by lies, or triviality. The world needs a charity that burns and is not overpowered by pride and egoism. “What we need is that the beauty of truth and charity strike us in the depths of our heart and make it more humane,” the Pope added. The exhibition is open to the public from July 5 to September 4.