By Victoria Cardiel, Paola Arriaza Flynn
July 28, 2025
12:39 p. m.
Jul. 28, 2025
12:39 p. m.
On a night full of emotions, the first edition of the Catholic Music Awards – the “Grammys” of Catholic music – made history in the Vatican. The gala was held this Sunday, July 27 at the Vía de la Coniliation Auditorium, a few steps from the Plaza de San Pedro, gathering artists from different countries and languages with a common message: “He who sings well, prays twice,” as St. Augustine of Hippo said.
The event included 19 categories in four languages – Spanish, English, Italian and Portuguese – and was evaluated by an international jury composed of more than 60 experts in music, communication and theology. The criterion: balance between evangelical content, artistic value and technical professionalism.
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“I never imagined it”: Emotion on stage
One of the most moving moments of the night starred by Francesco Lorenzi, leader of the Italian band The Sun, who was awarded as the best Italian Catholic band. “I would never have imagined that today we would be here, near San Pedro, awarded as best Italian Catholic band, and this is something extraordinary, since the Lord humbly guides our life, healthy and takes us where we are called to be,” Lorenzi said among applause.
“Each of us has a mission and, therefore, today’s prize is important because it underlines the fact that there is a mission written in our hearts and that the Lord does everything possible to help us do it,” he said.
The band, known for their conversion testimony and their missionary tours, performed one of their most popular themes in an acoustic version full of spirituality.
Faith, Family and Music: The story of Rangonca
Another of the protagonists was the Italian tenor Luciano Ranonarca, awarded as the best male singer. He took the scenario visibly excited after interpreting a compound piece in honor of Padre Pio, to whom he attributes the intercession that made the birth of his son possible.
“I think that a Grammy prize for Catholic music was needed for a long time, so applaud musical producers for having done it. And I am already delighted to be here and I have congratulated all my fellow musicians who have also been nominated,” said Ranonarca.
A little big gesture: Sebastián and the “moments of joy”
His son is called Sebastián, he is 9 years old and did not want to miss the opportunity to accompany his father during the ceremony. In addition, he donated more than 100 books to the Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital, as part of his Solidarity Initiative Moments of Joy.
Sebastian shaped this solidarity platform – which seeks to empower participants to sow the world of kindness of kindness – in August last year after the death of their grandparents because of cancer.
“I wanted to help children who have suffered a lot in their lives and I want them to feel happy,” Sebastián explained. “I started this initiative last August, because my grandparents died of cancer and I wanted to see if I could do something for others,” he added.
His gesture started cheers from the public and showed that generosity and mission can start from an early age.
“I belong to you”: a song for the heart of Jesus
In the category of Best Song of Praise and Adoration was recognized Nathalí Paredes, singer -songwriter and presenter of Ewtn News, for her theme “I belong to you.”
It is a song “that I composed to the heart of Jesus, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is my greatest devotion. It is that heart that extends his hand to take our hearts.”
“It is a song of Eucharistic adoration, he who is present in the Eucharist, so I am very happy for it too. It is a song that I love very much and that, I tell you and confess you, every time the song also gives me,” Nathalí confessed.
Paredes also thanked the recognition and offered its interpretation as a shared prayer with the thousands of young people who participated in the jubilee who takes place from today until Sunday, August 3
The Catholic Music Awards are born with the vision of visible and promote artistic talent at the service of the Gospel, and offer a meeting space between generations, styles and musical cultures that share the same faith.
This first edition marks a milestone and aims to consolidate as a platform that inspires more artists to put their gifts at the service of God and the Church.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.
Paola Arriaza Flynn
Correspondent in the Vatican of the Ewtn News program in Spanish. With coverage throughout Latin America, Arriaza informs about papal matters and other news related to the Holy See. Before joining Ewtn, it was a correspondent at the Vatican for NBC Telemundo news. Born in El Salvador, Arriaza has a degree in journalism and philosophy from the University of Navarra, Spain.