During the International Meeting of Meaning being held in Vatican City these days, Pope Francis praised the Colombian singer Tostao, one of the members of the urban group ChocQuibTown. The event, which seeks to address the crisis of meaning in the contemporary world, brought together university presidents, cultural and technological personalities, influential young people and artists from various nations.
The singer Carlos Valencia, better known in the musical sphere as Tostao participated in the meeting where, at the request of one of the organizers, he gave an improvised presentation in which he not only insulted the attendees, but also the pope. The event, in addition to bringing together various influential figures, seeks to find concrete solutions for the challenges facing education and other areas in contemporary society.
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“There are many talents among us, but there is someone with a very particular one. You dare, Tostao, to improvise and share with the Supreme Pontiff a testimony from your music,” said the woman. Videos of the moment of the Colombian’s musical intervention circulate on social networks in which after the invitation, the rapper stands up excitedly in the middle of the hall’s stands. The artist, originally from the city of Quibdó, expressed his joy at participating in the event and thanked him for the opportunity to rap in the Vatican. “I am very happy to be here, I am Colombian, from Choco, from the Colombian Pacific. “I have had the opportunity to rap in many places in the world, but it is my first time in the Vatican and you are going to witness that.”he expressed.
After that, he began his musical presentation dedicated to the highest representative of the Catholic Church and the event of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. After his performance, he was applauded by those in attendance and received direct praise from Pope Francis, who told him: “You are a good rapper,” on several occasions. It is worth mentioning that this meeting dedicated a block to the role of art in the construction of meaning. In this context, Pope Francis highlighted that “mathematics helps you to establish firm concepts, it helps you progress, philosophy opens up different forms of thought,” while “art opens horizons” and stated that this discipline “teaches you.” It pushes you forward, it frees you and expands your heart.”
The religious quoted the first verses of the poem Everness by Jorge Luis Borges to exemplify how art can open new perspectives: “That pushed you, it pushed you forward, it opened things for you.” He also commented on the influence of literature on his life, recalling how his father and his grandmother introduced him to this field during his childhood by revealing that as a child they read to him Heart, by Edmundo de Amicis: “Art opens you up a lot, makes you understanding and lightens your heart,” added the Pope.
The Colombian ambassador to the FAO, Armando Benedetti recently received the blessing of Pope Francis during an audience at the Vatican. The Colombian politician described this event as an impulse to live in “harmony, love and communion.” The official pointed out that the blessing of the Supreme Pontiff has been one of the most significant experiences that he has lived with his family, celebrating this moment within the framework of World Biodiversity Day and in the commemoration of Saint Rita of Cascia.
During the hearing, they spoke about various topics, although the specific details of these conversations have not been publicly disclosed. However, Benedetti stressed that this experience was relevant in both his personal and professional life. The ambassador also published a quote from Sacrosanctum Concilium: “God blesses, but men also bless.” […] and disposes the heart of man to allow itself to be changed by God (II Vat. Ecum. Conc., Const. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 61).”
