Pope Leo XIV defines sacred music as integral to liturgy

During a general audience at St. Peter's Basilica on August 19, 2026, Pope Leo XIV addressed the role of sacred music in the liturgy. Continuing his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Pope emphasized that music is an integral part of liturgical action rather than a mere decoration.

He noted that singing and playing instruments serve as forms of prayer that synchronize the hearts of the faithful with God and one another. Citing St. Augustine, he remarked, “singing belongs to those who love,” highlighting music's ability to express the affective dimension of prayer and foster communal unity.

The Pope called for the preservation of the Church's musical heritage, including Gregorian chant and the pipe organ, while encouraging composers to respect contemporary sensibilities and diverse cultural traditions through healthy inculturation. He advised that liturgical music should be noble, simple, high-quality, and easily accessible to the entire assembly, with texts rooted in Sacred Scripture and Church tradition.