Vatican City, Nov 12, 2009 / 08:04 pm (CNA).- This week, the director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, presented a new CD which contains modern sacred music and features the voice of Pope Benedict XVI.

The new album, titled, “Alma Mater, Music from the Vatican,” features eight pieces of modern sacred music with recordings of the Pope speaking and praying in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German.  The Pope’s voice is accompanied by the choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, directed by Msgr. Pablo Colino.

The music was performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London.

During the press conference presenting the new CD, Father Lombardi said the idea to make the CD came from Giulio Neroni, who brought the proposal to the Vatican Secretary of State.  St. Paul Multimedia agreed to produce the album, with the assistance of Vatican Radio for the recordings of the Pope.

The eight pieces on the CD feature prayers and reflections of the Pope on Marian themes.  Seven pieces feature the Pope speaking, and one includes the Holy Father singing the Regina Coeli.  The liner notes include Marian reflections written by Cardinal Angelo Comastri.

Father Lombardi noted that profits from sales will be donated to humanitarian or cultural organizations that provide aid to children.

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