"Generous, open and friendly" people that stand out for their "friendliness" and the ability to express "unique humane and spiritual warmth". This is the portrait of the Roman people, as outlined by the Pope, who, during the concert organised this afternoon in his honour, "thanked" the city of Rome, whose "bent" is "to be a beacon of civilisation and spirituality for the whole world". "By matching its traditions with Christianity said Benedict XVI after the concert, which was dedicated to the "spiritual genius" of Mozart, the 250th anniversary of whose birth is celebrated this year over the centuries, Rome has carried out a unique mission and still is an important attraction for many visitors, who are drawn to such a rich artistic heritage, largely associated with the Christian history of the city". After calling Mozart a "great composer who left an indelible mark in history", the Holy Father gave a "special blessing to the whole city of Rome", thanking it for "having been willing to join the memory of Christmas in Rome with that of the anniversary of my appointment as Bishop of Rome". "How generous, open and warm the Roman people are, I experienced it myself the very first time I met the congregation gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, the evening of April 19th last year".
