(Vatican Radio) The “Hall of Assumption” in the Vatican Radio studios located in the Vatican Gardens on Wednesday afternoon hosted a special musical performance. It included a special member of the audience too – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The German choir “Jugendkantorei of Eichstatt Dom”, directed by Master Christian Heiss, is made up of 36 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 years. They are in Rome to attend the 40th International Congress of Young Singers.

The concert program, inspired by Christmas themes, included pieces by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Benjamin Britten. The carol "O du fröhliche” was actually arranged by Mgr. Georg Ratzinger, brother of the Pope Emeritus, who was also present at the concert, along with Mgr. Georg Gaenswein, Prefect of the Papal Household and Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, former nuncio in Germany.

The young people performing had faces of radiant joy, as the privilege of performing for the Pope Emeritus had only been communicated to them the evening before. At the end of their performance, Benedict XVI thanked them, wished them a Happy New Year and a pleasant stay in Rome.