Pope receives performers in Sistine Chapel, even some who have sparked controversy

When Pope Francis met dozens of international artists in the Sistine Chapel on Friday, he sought both to reaffirm the Roman Catholic Church’s commitment to artistic endeavors and to enlist the artists as a catalyst for change in areas such as social justice.

But while the group sat amidst Renaissance frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Perugino – arguably one of the pinnacles of papal art patronage – not all of those present had a traditionally religious streak.

Among them were the American artist Andre Serranowhose photo “Piss Christ,” an image of a plastic crucifix submerged in a tank full of urine, was deemed blasphemous when it debuted in 1987.

On Friday, Francis blessed Mr. Serrano and gave him a cheery thumbs up.

“I was surprised that I was invited and even more surprised that he gave me a thumbs up,” Mr Serrano said afterwards. “And I was very happy that the church understands that I am a Christian artist and not a blasphemous artist. I’m just an artist.”

The gathering was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Vatican Museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art. Inaugurated by Pope Paul VI in June 1973, the collection includes works by Van Gogh, Francis Bacon, Marc Chagall, and Matisse, as well as pieces by contemporary artists such as the photographers Rinko Kawauchi, Bill Armstrong, and Mimmo Jodice, and the new media artist collective Studio Azzurro.

Nine years earlier, Paul VI had convened artists in the Sistine Chapel to try to bridge a gap that had developed between the Church and contemporary artists, a contrast to the fruitful collaboration that had existed for centuries. The Museum of Contemporary Art was a result of that meeting.

Before Friday’s meeting, there was no “master plan” in the choice of performers, Bishop Paul Tighe said, secretary in the Vatican Office of Culture and Education. They included Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso, British director Ken Loach and British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.

Some were known to the Vatican and others were recommended for the event. “And then we had some favorites we wanted there,” Bishop Tighe laughed, without specifying who that might be.

The inclusion of writers and artists working in non-visual media signaled a desire to “broaden the church’s involvement with artists,” he said, noting that in recent years the church had encroached on events such as the Venice Biennale.

“We want to enter the world of the arts, to literary festivals, music and just getting involved,” Bishop Tighe said. “And to be there as part of the dialogue and presence.”

Francis told the group that “neither art nor faith can simply leave things as they are: they change, transform, move and convert. Art can never serve as an anesthetic; it brings peace, but instead of killing the conscience, it keeps them alert.”

The artists in attendance said they were honored by the invitation and moved by the Pope’s words.

“I was touched by his words about harmony, because I am a musician and every concert we give is about harmony,” said André Rieu, a Dutch violinist and conductor, referring to some of the words of the Pope, such as “true beauty is a reflection of harmony.”

Francis also called on artists to “not forget the poor”. They too “need art and beauty” and usually have “no voice to make themselves heard” – words that resonated with British film director Ken Loach.

“It is very clear from what the Pope says that he demands social justice and harmony in the world, which destroy those in power as they destroy the planet,” Mr. Loach later said. “He said we should remember the poor – I think he means social justice, which means giving power to the poor, not just a few pence out of your pocket.”

David Van Reybrouck, the Belgian cultural historian and author, gave Francis a copy of his book ‘Congo: The Epic History of a People’. He called the pope’s visit there in February “an extremely important event in the country’s history.” And he said he thanked Francis for his environmental encyclical “Laudato Si,” or “Praise Be.”

“Few religious leaders have been so strong and so courageous and so brave when it comes to tackling climate change,” said Mr. Van Reybrouck, noting his gratitude for participating in the rally. “The density of artistic talent in a few square meters has rarely been this high,” he said.

Mr Serrano said that despite the controversy that greeted some of his work, he hoped some of his recent photographs of a Pietà, an image of the Virgin Mary contemplating the dead Christ on her lap, would be included in the collection of the Vatican.

Mr. Serrano also said he was sure Francis had known exactly who he was when he gave him the earlier thumbs up with a smile.

“It was a great, mischievous smile,” Mr. Serrano said.

When asked about the decision to invite artists whose work has sparked controversy, Bishop Tighe said artists had the ability to be provocative, “to shake us up, to call us to a new alertness and a new awareness.”

“I think,” he added, “we all just have to work on the presumption of good faith of the artist trying to say something that challenges something, and sometimes we have to resort to strong measures to shake us up. “