Pope John Paul II expresses that art is important for the church to communicate its message of Christ and nourish the intuition of believers. He notes that music has strengthened the faith of many, allowing them to experience faith as joy, love, and expectation of God. Architecture provides spaces for Christians to gather and celebrate their faith together. The Pope supports using art, including artwork, music, and architecture, to allow believers to see God in a unique way and understand and feel more connected to their faith.

1. Letter Of His Holiness
Pope John Paul II to Artists, 1999

2. Claim
The Church Needs Art

3. Reasons
• To communicate the message of Christ
• Art has a unique capacity to translate the
message into beautiful colors, shapes, & sounds
• Nourishes the intuition of those who look or
listen
• Christ used images in his teachings to become
the icon of the unseen God

4. Importance of Music
• The Faith of many believers has been
strengthened by the works of musicians
• In song, Faith is experienced as vibrant joy,
love, and confident expectation of the saving
intervention of God

5. Importance of Architecture
• The church needs spaces to bring Christian
people together and celebrate their faith

6. My Opinion
I support Pope John Paul II’s claim
• Christian artwork allows me to see God in a
unique way and understand him more clearly
• Music at mass enlightens me and I feel
empowered
• I am amazed by Christian architecture and it
gives me a place to worship with others

7. Further Questions
• What would the church be like with no art?
• Does art need the church?
• Do you feel more connected to your faith
through artwork, music, and architecture?