Vatican lights up with drone show at historic ‘Grace for the World’ concert

A luminous sky filled with drones stunned tens of thousands at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on Saturday night during a powerful musical event calling for peace and unity.

CNA reported that the “Grace for the World” concert on September 14, 2025, marked the conclusion of the third World Meeting on Human Fraternity with a mix of spectacular visuals, emotional performances, and messages of hope.

Held for the first time on this scale in St. Peter’s Square, the event drew global attention as dozens of drones crafted iconic imagery above the historic Vatican skyline. The square was transformed into a vast open-air arena, symbolically uniting people from around the world in a celebration of fraternity and compassion.

Drones weave inspiring art across the Vatican sky

Organizers staged the Vatican’s first-ever drone show, featuring over 3,000 aerial units choreographed with light to form meaningful symbols. The drones traced stunning renderings of Pope Francis, Michelangelo’s “Pietà,” the celebrated “Salus Populi Romani” icon, and the well-known hands from “The Creation of Adam.”

A moving image of a dove—often used to represent peace—also appeared in the sky, serving as a visual call for harmony and renewed global solidarity. Each formation hovered above emblematic structures at the Vatican, including the dome by Michelangelo and Bernini’s grand colonnade, making the display even more impactful.

As the sky lit up with these breathtaking visuals, global singing sensation Andrea Bocelli and American artist Teddy Swims performed a stirring duet of “Amazing Grace,” filling the square with echoes of spiritual unity and artistic brilliance.

Global artists unite on a sacred stage

The night opened with Bocelli’s rendition of Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” setting a reverent and emotional tone. Colombian pop star Karol G later joined Bocelli on stage for a duet of “Vivo per lei,” after delivering her own soulful take on “Mientras me curo el cora” with gospel-inspired vocals.

Karol G’s appearance drew an enthusiastic response from her fans, who crowded the front of the square, waving flags and donning shirts with her image. The performances reflected the evening’s inclusive theme, bringing together diverse musical styles in honor of a shared human message.

Each act contributed to an international mosaic celebrating unity—not only through lyrics and melodies, but also through collective participation in a historic moment for the Vatican and the wider world.

Leaders and Nobel laureates call for peace

Beyond the music and spectacle, the event carried a clear moral appeal. Nobel Peace Prize winners Kailash Satyarthi and Nadia Murad, as well as Mozambican activist Graça Machel, delivered heartfelt speeches urging an end to violence and injustice across the globe.

Their messages echoed the broader goals of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, which featured two days of discussions among 500 attendees, including scholars, technology experts, and environmental leaders. Fifteen separate panels focused on topics such as sustainability, global peace-building, and the ethical role of technology in society.

Organizers emphasized that the concert served as both a celebration and a call to action for people and communities to recommit to the values of dignity, solidarity, and peace.

Cardinal Gambetti offers a message of renewal

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, president of the Fratelli Tutti Foundation and archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressed the crowd during the event. His words called attention to the vital need for regeneration and bridge-building in today’s fractured world.

“In the midst of shadows, we see the possibility of a rebirth: the capacity to resist, to innovate, to build bridges,” Gambetti said, reinforcing the themes echoed throughout the concert and summit.

While Pope Leo XIV did not attend the spectacular event, organizers acknowledged and appreciated his support from behind the scenes. Notably, the concert took place one day before the pontiff’s 70th birthday on September 15.

Legacy moment for the Vatican’s cultural presence

The scale and innovation represented by “Grace for the World” set a new precedent for public gatherings at the Vatican, merging sacred tradition with cutting-edge visual technology. For many, the evening projected an inspiring vision of what unity and human fraternity can look like in practice.

With performances that crossed linguistic and cultural boundaries, along with a message rooted in compassion, the event demonstrated how deeply shared values can be expressed through creative collaboration. It was a night when ancient architecture met modern expression, all in service of a higher calling for humanity.

As the final notes echoed across St. Peter’s Square and the lights of the drones faded into the night, the assembled crowd departed with a renewed sense of hope—carrying forward the spirit of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity far beyond the walls of the Vatican.