"Diaconie de la beauté," or "Diaconia of beauty," is the name of the association, founded in France in 2012, which Pope Francis welcomed yesterday on the occasion of the Symposium in Rome celebrating the tenth anniversary of the "Festivals," which are promoted annually by the same association, of which Francis emphasizes characteristics and importance, exhorting its members "to be singers of harmony" in the midst of a humanity that, shaken by violence, needs to return to dreaming of a different, beautiful world. The initial aspect of the association's service is spiritual in nature, as confirmed by the Pope; it promotes introspection and encourages individuals to live lives that are "oriented toward fullness." "Your job is to help artists establish a connection between heaven and earth," said the Pope. "You want to ignite in them the desire for truth, whether they are musicians, poets, singers, painters, architects, or directors, sculptors, actors, or dancers, or whatever else. Because beauty calls us to an alternative way of being in the world". Bergoglio then looked at today's humanity, tormented by misery caused by wars, bloodshed, and divides, and exhorted the association's members "to be singers of harmony among peoples, singers also of this harmony between cultures and religions." "Our humanity is shaken by all kinds of violence, wars, and social crises," he said. "In this context, we need men and women capable of making us dream of a different, more beautiful world. Make people dream so that they strive to have a fulfilling life".
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