Michael Bubl\u00e9 calls meeting Pope Leo XIV \u2018one of the greatest moments of my life\u2019 Michael Bubl\u00e9 called meeting Pope Leo XIV on Friday \u201cone of the greatest moments of my life,\u201d adding that as he prepares to headline the Vatican\u2019s annual Christmas concert for the poor, he hopes his example will encourage more people to speak openly about their faith. The Grammy-winning singer, known for his velvety voice and popular Christmas albums, said faith \u201cchanges everything in my life, every single interaction.\u201d \u201cWhen you say that you have strong faith, this is shocking to people, which is sometimes hard for me to understand,\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said in response to a question from CNA at a Vatican press conference on Dec. 5. \u201cAnd with the platform I have, my hope is that \u2026 there\u2019s a young person who might listen to me today who might be afraid to share their faith or to be open about it, and they look at me and they say, \u2018Wow, look at Bubl\u00e9. He\u2019s not afraid to share it,\u2019 and maybe it will give them the strength to do the same.\u201d Bubl\u00e9 met Pope Leo XIV on Friday along with other artists participating in the Vatican\u2019s sixth annual \u201cConcert with the Poor\u201d on Saturday, Dec. 6. \u201cI am overwhelmed,\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said. \u201cThis morning, I had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father. For me, this was something that I knew was going to be one of the greatest moments of my life.\u201d This year marks the first time a pope will attend the Vatican concert, which is free and offered to 3,000 people in need served by volunteer organizations around Rome. They will receive a hot takeaway dinner and other necessities after the event. \u201cWe know that times are difficult for many people, and there\u2019s a lot of darkness,\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said. I feel like when you have faith, you have your own pilot light. And the lights can go out everywhere, everywhere, but if you have that faith and you have that light inside you, you can find your way.\u201d I asked Michael Bubl\u00e9 about how his faith at a Vatican press conference today and this was his response: pic.twitter.com\/WF80pnhNzf The Canadian singer told EWTN News after the press conference that it was especially meaningful to introduce the pontiff to his mother, who was his childhood catechism teacher. \u201cA lot of people won\u2019t know, but I was raised in the Catholic Church, and my mother was my catechism teacher,\u201d said Bubl\u00e9, who has noted in previous interviews that he does not identify with a particular organized religion. \u201cChristmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ and the sacrifice that allows all of us to have an eternal life,\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said, describing how music is central to his spiritual life. \u201cMusic is a gift from God,\u201d he said. \u201cI talk to so many people today about what a gift from God music is.\u201d Bubl\u00e9 noted that \u201cSilent Night\u201d and \u201cAdeste Fideles\u201d are among his favorite Christmas hymns. He said that he asked the pope for specific song requests for the concert, which will feature selections Pope Leo enjoys. One of them is \u201cAve Maria,\u201d a piece not normally in Bubl\u00e9\u2019s repertoire. He acknowledged feeling \u201ca bit nervous\u201d to perform it before the pope and was coaxed into offering reporters a brief a cappella preview during the press conference. Pope Leo has asked Michael Bubl\u00e9 to sing the Ave Maria at the Vatican\u2019s Christmas Concert for the Poor on Saturday, December 6. The singer confessed to only having sung the hymn once before. After singing a verse, he admits he will need to practice. pic.twitter.com\/YXsjyDXCW3 The concert will also feature the choir of the Diocese of Rome, the Nuova Opera Orchestra, and Catholic composer Monsignor Marco Frisina. Past editions of the concert have been conducted by composers Hans Zimmer and Ennio Morricone. \u201cBefore every show \u2026 I say, \u2018Thank you, God, for giving me the ability to connect with these beautiful souls,\u2019\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said. This article was originally published by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Courtney Mares Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Floods in Libya reportedly kill up to 10,000; pope \u2018deeply saddened,\u2019 offers prayers Pope Francis meets with Argentine vice president Victoria Villarruel TIMELINE: What has the Catholic Church said about same-sex \u2018blessings\u2019? 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