Pope Francis, the music nerd: a playlist

We tend to think of popes as people who are somehow elevated from the rest of us — a few steps up the ladder leading to God, perhaps. But Pope Francis, whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was often thinking of the common citizen, as heard in his comments about migrants, refugees and people on the margins of society. Even for his own funeral proceedings, he elected for a simple wooden coffin and stipulated that his body be buried not in the Vatican’s glorious St. Peter’s Basilica, but across town in a smaller, more humble space.

Since the Pope’s death on Monday, I’ve been learning more about his life, and found that he indeed was more of a common man than one might expect. In 2013, he confirmed rumors that, in his student days in his hometown of Buenos Aires, he once held a gig as a nightclub bouncer. It came as no surprise, then, to find that Pope Francis also had a record collection, and spoke eloquently about his faves.

“Among musicians, I love Mozart, of course,” the pontiff told Father Antonio Spadaro, editor of the Jesuit paper La Civiltá Cattolica, in 2013. “The ‘Et incarnatus est’ from his Mass in C minor is matchless; it lifts you to God!” Other choices were a bit more eclectic. Wagner was a favorite, but not just any Wagner recording — the pope specifically pointed to a performance of the composer’s massive Ring cycle, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, captured live in 1950 at La Scala in Milan.

Like most music buffs, the pope had his favorite record stores. Before rising to the papacy, he frequented Stereosound, a family-owned shop near the Pantheon in Rome. (He paid a visit in 2022 to bless the store after a recent renovation.) His personal collection included tangos by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, Elvis Presley gospel recordings and albums by the French chanson singer Edith Piaf.

Knowing that Pope Francis was a music nerd puts a smile on my face. That’s the inspiration for the playlist below, which begins with the pope’s personal favorites and then branches out to other music that might have matched his taste. Some picks are deeply spiritual; there’s work here by Henryk Górecki, Arvo Pärt and John Tavener, the trio of composers sometimes referred to as the “God Squad.” Others are more earthbound, furthering the idea that Jorge Mario Bergoglio was one of us.

 

The hidden cost of oil: Families fractured by a pipeline project

As the 900-mile East African Crude Oil Pipeline project takes shape in Uganda, there is the promise of economic benefit. But it's shaking up the lives of some 100,000 people.

Why some see the dollar’s drop as a sign America is losing its financial might

The dollar has just posted its worst first-half of a year since 1973. And now investors wonder — is it a sign that America is losing its financial standing?

What’s the best Pixar movie? Here’s what our listeners said

People have strong opinions about the best Pixar movies. We asked NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour listeners to vote.

‘The worst day of my life:’ Texas’ Hill Country reels as deaths rise due to floods

Dozens of people have died in the Texas Hill Country. Scores of others are missing or unaccounted for. As rescue crews continue to search for victims, those who survived are coping with the loss.

Are seed oils actually bad for your health? Here’s the science behind the controversy

Health Secretary RFK Jr. has said vegetable oils, like canola and soybean, are 'poisoning Americans.' But many researchers say the evidence isn't there. So, what does the science say about seed oils?

Trump plans to share new tariff rates this week as deadline for deals approaches

The administration keeps shifting its plans when it comes to trade negotiations. The latest expectation is that most countries will receive new tariff rates this week that would go into effect on Aug. 1.

More Front Page Coverage