A historic page will soon be written in the Vatican: St. Peter’s Square will host a free concert open to the general public. On Saturday September 13 at 9pm, Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire, Andrea Bocelli, Karol G and K-Pop star BamBam will be the stars of “Grace for the World“, an extraordinary show featuring live music, artists from all over the world, an aerial performance by over 3,000 drones and a universal appeal for brotherhood.
This exceptional evening will also be broadcast live on Disney+, Hulu and ABC News Live. Register now to receive viewing links and practical information about GRACE FOR THE WORLD (World Meeting on Human Fraternity).
A night to go down in the history books
This major concert, co-directed by Pharrell Williams and Andrea Bocelli as executive producers, will bring together an impressive constellation of artists: the Voices of Fire gospel choir , Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, Clipse, Angélique Kidjo, as well as an international choir of 250 voices, including those of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome. The ensemble will be orchestrated by world-renowned music producer Adam Blackstone.
The stage promises to be rich in emotion, with Karol G, whose Milagros embodies hope and resilience, and possible duets with memorable accents, such as Vivo por Ella with Andrea Bocelli or The Prayer alongside Jennifer Hudson. American voices, from John Legend to Teddy Swims, will bring powerful hymns to love, faith and humanity, while Pharrell and Voices of Fire will infuse the energy of contemporary gospel. Finally, BamBam and Angélique Kidjo will further broaden the musical palette, between vibrant K-pop and African rhythms carrying messages of unity and justice.
But there’s more to the show than music. A visual creation by Nova Sky Stories will light up the Roman sky with a choreography of over 3,000 drones, inspired by the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. This technological feat will transform the night into a living fresco of light and sound. Free to spectators lucky enough to be on hand, the event will also be broadcast live at 9pm on Disney+, Hulu and ABC News Live for the rest of us.
The event marks the closing of the Third World Meeting on Human Fraternity. For two days, international leaders, Nobel Prize winners and activists from all over the world will have debated in Rome about global challenges and the need to rediscover ourselves as humanity. And for the grand finale, the Vatican will transform its architectural heart into a musical platform.
The “Voices of Fire” gospel choir have released their new album “OPHANIM“, which highlights their collaborative spirit and reinforces the message of unity conveyed by the Vatican concert.
Pharrell Williams: One of his rare stage appearances, and not just any appearance!
While Pharrell Williams has become more involved in fashion, and his stage appearances have become rarer, he remains deeply attached to music, as evidenced by his performances in front of Notre-Dame during its reopening, or in Paris for the Pièces jaunes Gala, in support of hospitalized children. Today, not only is he set to return to the stage in St. Peter’s Square for Grace for the World, but he will also co-direct the event alongside tenor Andrea Bocelli, offering yet another opportunity to discover Pharrell live, accompanied by Voices of Fire.
“This is a very rare cultural moment where the world stops and connects collectively,“ said Pharrell Williams, and Andrea Bocelli said of the event, “Let’s shine with music from the heart of Christianity to send the world a message of peace.”
In a world riven by conflict, loneliness, new forms of poverty, environmental crises and technological challenges, the World Meeting on Human Fraternity is a unique opportunity for collective reflection, designed as a space for dialogue and sharing, where new paths of hope and humanity are sketched out.
Under the banner of the universal language of music, with the support of Fever as official partner, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti and the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, this meeting aims to give substance to the concept of fraternity through a living, tangible experience.
More than just a concert and a spectacular ballet of drones, the event will have a profound symbolic impact, destined to leave its mark on history and remain unforgettable for all those who choose to take part.