Following the Wednesday General Audience on September 2, 2026, Pope Leo XIV was presented with a historic treasure: the childhood violin played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Musicians from the Ensemble Bella Musica youth orchestra—affiliated with the prestigious Mozarteum University of Salzburg—showcased the instrument to the Pontiff ahead of a special concert in the historic Sala Assunta of Vatican Radio.
The concert features two instruments of immense historical value: Mozart’s childhood violin and the 1764 “Costa” violin built by Italian luthier Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa, which Mozart played during his concerts in Vienna. In a rare and symbolic performance, 10-year-old Chinese prodigy Shuxuan Jin performed on the childhood violin—the exact age Mozart was when he began revealing his extraordinary talent to the world. Jin, a pre-university student at the Mozarteum, played alongside orchestra members aged 10 to 22 who represent diverse backgrounds across Europe and Asia.
Performing under the motto “Young Ambassadors of Mozart’s European Routes,” the ensemble views the Vatican concert as a highlight of their European tour and a beacon of harmony. Artistic director Stefan David Hummel emphasized that during turbulent times, music serves as an international language capable of transcending borders and promoting global peace. The concert program highlighted celebrated Mozart works, including the overture to Così fan tutte and excerpts from the Jupiter Symphony, along with a special nod to The Sound of Music in honor of the American Pope’s fondness for the classic film.
This event marks a poignant historical parallel: 256 years prior, a 14-year-old Mozart visited the Vatican in 1770 and was knighted with the Order of the Golden Spur by Pope Clement XIV. While the live performance in the Sala Assunta was closed to the general public, the concert was recorded for international broadcast through the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), allowing audiences worldwide to experience the sound of Mozart’s historic instruments played by a new generation of virtuosos.