Pope Leo XIV tells Louisiana arts patrons that beauty opens the soul to God
The pope received a group of Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from Louisiana on October 7 and urged them to set aside time for contemplation in a world where technology and financial gain prevail
Pope Leo XIV received a group of Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from Louisiana in the Paul VI Audience Hall on October 7. He encouraged them to cultivate a spirit of contemplation that can lift the souls of young people. He thanked the patrons for their work preserving art over recent decades and said that "the gift of self is essential to authentic fulfillment."
Beauty as an opening to the divine
The pope spoke about the value of beauty in a world where technology and financial gain often set the pace. He asked those present to set aside time and space to contemplate art, saying that only in this way would they discover its power to lift the spirit and recognize an openness to the transcendent. He warned that doing without that dimension leads people to despair.
The pope recalled St. Paul VI, who inspired the organization, and quoted his words that "beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart" and unites the generations in a shared admiration. He said he hoped the patrons had experienced that power of beauty to awaken the noblest desires of the human heart, and he encouraged them to open themselves to God's gifts.
Contemplation and the encounter with divine Beauty
The pope also reflected on contemplation as a path to encountering the God who is Beauty, the one St. Augustine described as "ever ancient and ever new."
"Dear friends, as you continue your pilgrimage, I encourage you to open yourselves to this Beauty and to reflect on how to help others do the same," the pope said.
At the end of the meeting, the pope entrusted those present to Our Lady of the Rosary and gave them his blessing. He extended it to all members of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, as a sign of peace and joy in the Lord.
