Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Pontifical Paul VI School in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday, December 16, where he attended the “InCanto” Christmas concert organized by the students as a special guest. During his impromptu remarks at the end of the event, the Holy Father emphasized the central message of Christmas: the gift of divine love, and called on those present to strive harder for peace, love, and unity in a divided world.

The Pope, who usually spends Mondays and Tuesdays at Villa Barberini, near the school, arrived at the school gymnasium, which had been decorated for the occasion, and took a seat in the front row. There, surrounded by parents, teachers, the Bishop of Albano, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva, and other guests, he enjoyed the children’s performances. Dressed in jeans and white T-shirts, they sang classic Christmas carols such as  Adeste Fideles,  Joy to the World, Noel Noel, and Astro del Ciel  in Italian, Latin, English, and Spanish, accompanied by joyful gestures.

“It has been wonderful to hear the carols in so many languages,” commented Leo XIV, visibly moved. “Christmas awakens in all our hearts a joy, a peace, a truly important invitation.” Inspired by one of the songs about “angels who bring love,” the Pope emphasized how the children had brought that love to the audience with their music, recalling the phrase of St. Augustine: “He who loves sings.”

The central message of his greeting was a call to action: “God has wanted to share with us all the gift of love: this is Christmas,” he affirmed, emphasizing that God draws especially near to the most vulnerable. Quoting the refrain “at Christmas we can do more,” he urged: “Let us do more to proclaim peace, love, and unity in the world.”

At the end of the event, the Holy Father imparted his blessing to the children and their families, urging them to open their hearts to see God’s presence in the little ones. He received enthusiastic applause, shouts of “León, León!”, and gifts such as a tennis racket and a school uniform. Before leaving, he posed for photos with the students, leaving behind an atmosphere of joy and emotion.

The Pontifical Paul VI School, inaugurated by Saint Paul VI in 1968 as a gift to the local community, now has around 300 students and is a leading Catholic school in the Castel Gandolfo and Albano Laziale area. This surprise visit highlights the Pope’s closeness to children and his emphasis on Christmas as a time of spiritual renewal and commitment to peace.