Organizers announced Jennifer Hudson as the headlining performer for the Vatican’s upcoming Concert With the Poor and expected Pope Leo to attend the annual event.
The EGOT-winning singer and actress will perform on December 5 at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City.
The concert would bring together thousands of attendees, including people experiencing poverty and other difficult circumstances.
Jennifer Hudson to headline Vatican’s Concert With the Poor on December 5
Organizers confirmed Hudson’s participation in the seventh edition of the Concert With the Poor and expected approximately 8,000 people to attend.
They invited more than 3,000 people experiencing poverty or vulnerability to the event.
Organizers also arranged to provide them with hot takeaway dinners afterward.
The Nova Opera ETS Foundation, which promoted the concert, described Hudson’s involvement as an opportunity to connect American musical traditions with the event’s message of solidarity and hope.
However, organizers had not announced the singer’s setlist for the Jennifer Hudson Vatican concert.
As per Variety Hudson was set to perform alongside the Rome-based Nova Opera Orchestra and the Diocese of Rome’s choir.
Monsignor Marco Frisina would oversee the concert’s artistic direction, while Italian singer and actress Serena Autieri would make a special appearance.
Organizers also planned to make Jennifer Hudson’s December 5 concert accessible to audiences beyond Vatican City.
Organizers planned to broadcast the performance live on Italian television, while major Catholic broadcasters would stream the event internationally.
The upcoming appearance followed Hudson’s previous performance at the Vatican in September 2025.
She participated in the Grace for the World concert at St. Peter’s Square on September 13, sharing the event with performers including Andrea Bocelli and Jelly Roll.
Meanwhile, the annual Concert With the Poor had previously welcomed another internationally recognized singer.
Michael Bublé headlined the 2025 edition, which marked Pope Leo’s first attendance at the event.
His participation also represented the first time a pope had attended the Vatican concert.
With Jennifer Hudson and Pope Leo expected at the 2026 gathering, organizers continued the event’s tradition of bringing music and charitable outreach together.
