Pope Leo XIV: The musical heritage of the Church must be preserved

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has highlighted the importance of sacred music in the liturgy, calling for the Church’s musical heritage to be preserved while fostering healthy inculturation of local traditions.

“For this reason, the composer of sacred music is called to know and preserve the musical heritage of the Church, allowing it to inspire new compositions at the service of the liturgy, while respecting contemporary sensibilities and the different cultural traditions,” Leo said.

In his address during his general audience at the Vatican on Aug. 19, the pontiff continued his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium .

The general audience was his third of the month to be held inside St. Peter’s Basilica due to Rome’s high summer temperatures.

Pope Leo XIV greets the people at his general audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Aug. 19, 2026. The general audience is being held in the basilica in August to avoid the hot summer temperatures. | Credit: Vatican Media

Sacred music — an integral part of the liturgy Leo discussed the Second Vatican Councilʼs emphasis on the role of sacred music in the liturgy.

“The…