However, apart from shedding light on the historical significance of the music featured, Ganswein said the deeper reason for the CD is the "ecclesial service" the choir, like the rest of the Church, is called to undertake.
"A record production of this type is, in fact, an announcement of the Good News which acts through art, specifically music," he said, adding that it hopes to inspire "a growth in the spiritual path and even a first questioning about He who is the origin of every beauty."
It is also through music that the Church is able to go to the existential "peripheries" of the world and "offer to all a concrete possibility of encounter with a God who loves, forgives and wants for each one of us a life in abundance," he said.
In comments to CNA, Palombella said this year's CD is important specifically because it uses the ancient manuscripts from the archive of the Vatican Library.
At times, study and research are seen as being opposed to music, he said. However, research actually helps improve the musical product, so that it is "accessible to everyone."
Without study or research, a person can do pastoral work for the Church, but it will only be "for the moment" and cannot go deeper, he said.
Noting how retired Pope Benedict XVI has a strong appreciation for music, Palombella said Pope Francis " is absolutely in continuity" on this point, and has both supported and encouraged their work because "it is directed toward evangelization."
Music, he said, echoing Archbishop Ganswein, also has the ability to reach people on the peripheries, "because many people would never have access to evangelization if it weren't through music and art."
As in previous years, all funds collected from sales of the CD will go directly to the papal charities.
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.