“Now, fortunately, we have an Augustinian Pope. Who certainly knows this phrase by Augustine: ‘Bis orat qui cantat’—he who sings prays twice. I hope that the new Pope will restore sacred music to the church". This is what maestro Riccardo Muti said in an interview with Corriere della Sera. "Concerts in the Vatican have almost disappeared. The last ones were with Benedict XVI. "Nothing has been done to restore the great Renaissance and Gregorian sacred music to the churches, where strummers and embarrassing texts continue to dominate". The interviewer asks: you don’t like beat Masses? “Heavens, no! I don’t think I’m the only believer who would prefer to hear Palestrina. Monteverdi. Luca Marenzio. Gesualdo da Venosa. And Gregorian chants. It is not only a loss of faith, but also of spirituality. The great saints of Christianity met martyrdom by singing rather than strumming. Church music's decline is a component of a more extensive phenomenon". Which is? "For decades, the sacred has been under decline in the Western world. I sincerely hope that Pope Leo can restore St. Augustine's philosophy to the churches: singing is appropriate for people who love". Why do you believe Pope Leo is so popular? "I don't pass judgment. I wish for a more spiritual Church, which will result in new vocations. I hope for a Pope who promotes peace. And then he was born in Chicago, a place I adore and where I lead the orchestra..."