Andrea Bocelli Instagram – We have left Capitol Hill with hearts swelled full of hope, inspiration, and drive. At National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, unexpectedly intimate voices broke through the formality of the location to speak to the heart of the audience about powerful themes: transforming crises into an opportunity to mature—individually or collectively—to evolve, to progress, to break free; believing that prayer is always the most powerful weapon (and fasting, as a form of devotion); loving the world as a journey with no alternatives, starting from those around us whom we encounter in our daily lives. Strong, important and true words from President Biden himself, whom I thank sincerely for reiterating the power of music, and who was kind enough to call himself a fan of mine as he spoke about the comfort my song “Fall on Me” gave him in hard times as he mourned to loss of his son. In their simple but wise words, the president and other speakers sent out a message of peace. Former Admiral and Senate Chaplain Barry Black made a rousing call to arms against hate, reminding us of the sacred texts and the—still revolutionarily, burningly relevant—concept that God imparts to us in urging us to love our neighbor even when they are hostile and strive for common ground rather than feeding conflict, facing them with the most powerful armament ever conceived: love. On my part, it was an honor and a joy to provide my modest musical contribution to such an extraordinary meeting. I hope that the seed planted in our minds there can grow into brave choices so that life can win. In addition to delivering sung prayers, I took the liberty of reminding the audience of a lesson dear to me and still relevant today that we can draw from Cato Uticensis, who two millennia ago advised the Roman legislature not to let soldiers listen to music, which softens hearts and makes men unfit for war. However, we like to dream of just that: an army of soldiers unfit for way, fighters in love, sowing not death but peace to the world. Washington D.C.