Jacksonville Children’s Chorus to perform at Papal Mass

The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus (JCC) will travel to Rome on Dec. 29 to take part in the ninth annual Choral Festival, Christmas at the Vatican. The Touring Choir will perform at the New Year’s Day Papal Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, led by JCC President and Artistic Director Darren Dailey, who will serve as the festival director.

The tour will feature performances in Rome, Assisi and Florence. The chorus most recently performed at the Vatican in 2018, marking the third time JCC singers performed at a papal liturgy. This year’s experience is especially meaningful as the singers prepare to perform for Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 — St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City (New Year’s Day Papal Mass)

• Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 — Basilica of the Apostles, Rome, Italy

• Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 — Church of the Trinity, Florence, Italy

• Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 — Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi, Italy

In addition to their performances, the young singers will visit historic and cultural landmarks, including the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums and Florence’s Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s renowned David.

To support this life-changing tour for the JCC’s young singers, go to jaxchildrenschorus.org/2025-winter-tour-donations.