Homeless in VIP seats at Vatican concert

(ANSA) - Vatican City, April 24 - The Vatican announced on Friday that it will host a free charity concert "with the poor and for the poor" to promote "hope and confidence for the future".
    Immigrants, homeless and the destitute will be honored guests at Pope Francis' May 14th "With the Poor and For the Poor" concert at the Vatican's Nervi Hall, seated in an area usually reserved for dignitaries and heads of State.
    "They will have seats of honor in the hall and, next to them, following the teachings of the Pope, will be invited families, seniors and young people from all Roman parishes. We hope that for them, as for all who participate, that this event represents a seed of confidence and hope for the future", the event organization said.
    Salerno Philharmonic Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra, directed by Maestro Daniel Oren and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina, will perform a program that includes arias from the opera musical "The Divine Comedy" in celebration of the 750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri.
    Concert attendees "will be given the opportunity to contribute with voluntary donations that will be entirely allocated to the Office of Papal Charities and delivered into the hands of Papal Almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski".
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