Piano concert in Manila marks 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death

January 20, 2026 – 4:02 PM

How logistics industry experts plan to ‘move forward’ after COVID-19

Reasons why Filipinos love Korean culture and products

Why Batangas is the destination for budget-friendly family holidays

A piano concert marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi was held Monday at Santuario de San Antonio Church in Makati City.

The concert, titled Frate Sole or Brother Sun, featured Italian pianist Mario Mariani and was organized by the Italian Embassy in Manila and Inter-Franciscan Ministries Conference in the Philippines.

The concert featured live piano accompaniment inspired by Frate Sole, a 1918 Italian silent film about the life of St. Francis.

Mariani, an Italian pianist and composer, performed in Manila for the first time, blending music, film and contemplation.

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the concert was more than an artistic event.

“This concert is not simply an artistic presentation; it is a spiritual offering,” Garcera said in a message read during the program.

“Through piano music, we are invited to rediscover his profound intuition: that creation is not something to dominate, but to embrace as brother and sister, as a gift entrusted to our care,” Garcera said.

He said the message remains urgent amid climate change, poverty and social divisions, echoing Pope Francis’ calls for care for the earth and the poor.

“Francis proved a life of simplicity and humility can be powerful to transform society,” Giglio said.

He said the Franciscan message offers an alternative to “selfishness, materialism and conflict,” especially in difficult times.

Pope Leo XIV earlier declared a special jubilee to honor St. Francis, encouraging the faithful to reflect on his life of poverty, charity and devotion.