Jennifer Hudson to headline Vatican Christmas concert for the poor

The American R&B singer and others will perform in the presence of Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 5.

Grammy- and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson will usher in the Christmas season at the Vatican with a concert for the poor.

The R&B artist will perform on Dec. 5 at the seventh edition of the Concert with the Poor in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. As in 2025, Pope Leo XIV will attend the concert, which will support approximately 3,000 people in need served by volunteer organizations around Rome.

Hudson will become the first American vocalist to perform at the Christmas concert, singing alongside the renowned priest and composer Monsignor Marco Frisina, Italian actress and singer Serena Autieri, and the choir of the Diocese of Rome. It will also mark Hudson’s second performance at the Vatican, following her 2025 appearance with others at “Grace for the World,” in tribute to Pope Francis, who died earlier that year.

The 2025 edition, which hosted a pope for the first time in its history, featured Canadian singer Michael Bublé, who described the experience as an encouragement to others to discuss their Christian faith openly.

“My hope is that there’s 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, ‘Wow, look at Bublé. He’s not afraid to share it,’ and maybe it will give them the strength to do the same,” Bublé told EWTN News.

Pope Leo XIV has attended at least eight musical events since his election in 2025; his most recent was the “Canticle of Peace” musical prayer service at Castel Gandolfo in July, performed by Andrea Bocelli.

Tickets for the Dec. 5 concert are free, with registration opening on Nov. 19 through the website.