Artists should ‘be like children’

It was a solemn morning on Friday, 23 June, as Pope Francis convened with celebrated artists from across the globe in the prestigious Sistine Chapel, marking the 50th anniversary of the Vatican Museums’ collection of modern art. Around 200 modern and contemporary artists, surrounded by art from the past, listened intently to the Pope’s address. The Holy Father, through this dialogue, intended to highlight art’s contribution to the building of shared humanity and the promotion of common values. In his message, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the presence of the artists and highlighted the natural and special bond between the Church and art. He acknowledged that artists have a unique ability to capture the richness of human existence, including its contradictions and tragedies. The Pope also acknowledged the transformative ...