Rome, Italy, Jan 20, 2017 / 10:33 am
One year after Pope Francis visited the Great Synagogue in Rome, the Hebrew Choir of Rome "Ha-Kol," and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome joined together to give a concert Jan. 19 on the theme: "Sing to the Lord a new song."
The Pope's attention to Jewish-Christian dialogue continues to be welcomed by the Jewish community in Rome, and events such as the concert is one way they can contribute to that dialogue, Richard Di Castro, president of the Ha-Kol Choir Association, told CNA.
"I believe that music can speed up the dialogue between all cultures and among all religions, and is a common thread that is understood in all latitudes and in all parts of the world," Di Castro said.
"All the more so, the privileged nature of the dialogue that Jews and Christians have at this time, events like this where we can share our traditions, our musical culture, helps considerably in the dialogue."
The concert, which consisted of musical interpretations of the Psalms in both the Jewish and Christian traditions, took place just a few days after the one year anniversary of Pope Francis' visit to the synagogue on Jan. 17, 2016.