The Vatican is celebrating Christmas in style.
In its thirtieth edition, the Vatican Christmas Concert for Peace is bringing artists from Italy, France, Spain, Israel, the United States and Sweden to Rome.
The money raised from the concert will go to support Don Bosco missions in Ukraine.
Also present in this year's concert are the winners from this year's Christmas Contest, which invited young artists from 16 to 35 years old to compete for a chance to perform among the stars at the Vatican's Christmas Concert.
Pope Francis addressed the organizers of the contest in October, and told them to not lose sight of Christmas' meaning.
POPE FRANCIS
Don't seek to be like the big “stars” of show business. Don't follow the trends and designs of success. Don't recite the clichés of a false and corny Christmas that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and its significance for humanity today.
Pope Francis typically meets the performers before the the big show, which in past years have included stars such as Lionel Richie and Patti Smith.
This year the concert will feature Spanish artist José Carreras and Amy Lee of the rock band Evanescence.
JM
