If you’re as shocked as I am that we’re still making “firsts” happen in 2025, we could be besties. So much history was made at the Vatican’s “Grace For The World” Show. Here are 11 moments that made it groundbreaking:
1.
The show started with more than 3,000 drones illuminating the night sky. At one point creating an image of the late Pope Francis! Umm, amazing. The display, a first for the Vatican, made the crowd rightfully erupt in applause.
2.
This drone sequence was partnered with a soul-soothing rendition of “Amazing Grace” by world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and singer Teddy Swims. Who knew this was the vocal pairing our hearts were searching for!
3.
Pharrell gave a simple yet powerful message of hope. “Grace makes space, curiosity leans in, and together they can carry us toward one another.” He even invited the crowd to light up the night with their phones in a show of love, light, and grace (as if the drones needed any help lol).
4.
The night was curated by co-directors Pharrell Williams and Maestro Andrea Bocelli, two living legends in their fields. It’s the first time a concert of this size has happened in Vatican City (another first!).
5.
The performance drew an audience of over 253,000! Who knew all it took was a drone show and the top singers in the world to get that many people to church?!
6.
The drones were doing their big one, flipping more times than Simone Biles. Depicting images of the hands from Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam,” to the “Pietà,” Michelangelo’s famous marble sculpture, and more, the drones put in overtime to make the night memorable.
7.
Jennifer Hudson and Jelly Roll sang a riveting rendition of “Hallelujah.” If this version isn’t sung at all future weddings, graduations, and Super Bowls, I will revolt!
8.
A big moment for hip hop happened when John Legend and Clipse — Pusha T and Malice — performed a song from Clipse’s latest album called “The Birds Don’t Sing” with the Voices of Fire gospel choir. This whole set was heartfelt, and it’s not just because this song is dedicated to their late parents.
9.
The crowd went nuts for Colombian singer Karol G who got some of the loudest applause of the night. She performed “Mientras me curo el cora” in a gospel style and did a closing duet with Bocelli singing “Vivo per lei.”
10.
The Pope’s birthday was shortly after the concert and he turned 70. I too, would schedule a global historical moment for my birthday if I could!
11.
And finally, the concert closed out the third annual World Meeting on Human Fraternity, described as two days of “spiritual and cultural initiatives, to celebrate the strength of fraternity, offer the world a symbolic embrace, and renew the collective commitment to the protection of Creation.” And I think we can all agree the world could use a big embrace right now.