Ennio Morricone Wrote a Mass for Pope Francis

On a day when I’ve spent almost all morning with the works of Ennio Morricone ringing in my ears, I find some of my greatest interests (movies, music, and my Catholicity) colliding in unexpected and gratifying ways. Because just this afternoon, I’ve discovered (thanks to Frank at YIMCatholic) that Morricone — easily one of my favorite film composers ever — has written a Mass for the Pope.

Well, that’s not quite right. The legendary film composer has written a Mass, but it’s actually something he wrote for the Jesuits, strictly speaking. He is naming it for Pope Francis, though. “Missa Papae Francisci.”

From The Washington Post:

Oscar-winning Italian composer Ennio Morricone this week will premiere a Mass he composed to mark the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Jesuit order and named for its most illustrious member, Pope Francis.

The Jesuits said in a statement that the 86-year-old Morricone will conduct “Missa Papae Francisci” on Wednesday at the main Jesuit church in downtown Rome, leading Rome’s Symphonic Orchestra and the choirs of the Santa Cecilia Academy and the Teatro dell’Opera.

Very cool. Can’t wait to hear what it sounds like.

Here’s something Papal he’s written in the past: “Habemus Papam,”  from his score for Karol: A Man Who Became Pope.

And here’s something Jesuit that he’s written in the past: “Ave Maria,” from his score for The Mission.

Attribution(s): “Morricone Smiling” courtesy of Getty Images, which allows the use of certain images “as long as the photo is not used for commercial purposes (meaning in an advertisement or in any way intended to sell a product, raise money, or promote or endorse something);” “Ennio Morricone in Concert” via photopin (license)