(ZENIT News / Rome, 05.27.2025).- In an age of livestreamed liturgies and digital devotions, it was an ancient melody that unexpectedly captured global attention. On Sunday, May 11, Pope Leo XIV stood before thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square and sang the Regina Caeli from the central balcony of the basilica — a simple gesture that resonated far beyond the cobblestones of the Vatican. When he repeated the chant the following Sunday, it was clear this was more than an isolated choice: it was a statement of intent.
For Dominican friar Robert Mehlhart, president of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, the moment was electrifying. Among the crowd’s reaction — reverent silence, teary eyes, tentative voices joining in — he noticed something else: many faithful wanted to sing with the Pope, but didn’t know how.
That observation became the seed of a digital liturgical initiative now sweeping across continents. Titled “Let Us Sing with the Pope,” a series of chant tutorials created by Mehlhart and hosted by the Institute has turned into an unexpected phenomenon, viewed by hundreds of thousands online. The goal is both ambitious and deeply pastoral: to equip ordinary Catholics with the tools to participate actively — and musically — in the Church’s most sacred moments.
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The tutorials, which are posted on the Institute’s social media platforms, teach simple, easily singable pieces from the Church’s Gregorian tradition, many of which are used in papal Masses and official celebrations. Each video is crafted with clarity and care, intended for people who may have never read a note of music. The response has been staggering. What began as a resource for 153 students from 44 countries studying at the Institute is now reaching a global congregation of eager learners.
According to the Institute, the project’s mission is not just educational, but spiritual. Gregorian chant — often considered the Church’s native musical language — is more than just sound; it is prayer. “Our hope is to make this heritage accessible to everyone, not just choirs or professionals,” said Mehlhart in an interview. “This isn’t about performance. It’s about participation. It’s about love.”
The project’s theological roots run deep. “Christians sing,” Mehlhart added, quoting Saint Augustine. “Lovers sing — and Christians are lovers because they love God.” In that spirit, even those who feel musically unskilled are encouraged to join. The emphasis, Mehlhart insists, is not on pitch but on presence. It’s the voice of the Church, gathered and alive.
While many expected Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate to emphasize continuity with his predecessor, this early focus on chant marks a distinctive tone — one that is quietly reshaping liturgical life. In a world often divided by noise, the Pope’s decision to raise his voice in song might be one of the most unifying choices of all. And thanks to a Dominican friar with a smartphone and a vision, the entire Church is invited to sing along.
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