Miguel Ríos declined to evaluate Bustamante's performance of 'Hymn of Joy' for the Pope. Miguel Ríos commented on David Bustamante's performance of his iconic 'Hymn of Joy' at an event attended by the Pope in Madrid. The singer emphasized his respect for faith but noted that he did not follow the performance.
In Madrid, on the set of the program Al cielo con ella on La 1 de TVE, Miguel Ríos presented his new album El último vals and unexpectedly found himself at the center of the discussion about David Bustamante's recent performance. The reason was a concert at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where Bustamante performed the 'Hymn to Joy' for Pope Leo XIV. Ríos, whose name has long been associated with this piece, said he had not seen the new version and was not ready to judge it.
On air, host Henar Álvarez directly asked whether Ríos himself had been invited to perform before the Pope. The musician replied that the organizers know his views well and did not make such an offer. He emphasized that he respects all religious beliefs, but he has not considered himself a believer for a long time, although in his youth he studied with the Salesians and often sang church songs then.
Ríos also spoke about the influence Elvis Presley had on his musical journey. According to the artist, it was his job in the music department of a store in Granada and his acquaintance with Elvis's records that became a turning point for him. This experience, as Ríos admitted, defined his further career and attitude toward music.
The topic of performances before the Pope has been actively discussed in the Spanish media in recent days. Earlier, at a similar event in Madrid, actor Antonio Banderas shared his thoughts on faith and art — you can find out more in the article about Banderas's meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
For reference: 'Hymn of Joy' performed by Miguel Ríos became one of the symbols of the Spanish rock scene of the 1970s and remains recognizable to this day. David Bustamante is a popular Spanish singer known for his participation in the show Operación Triunfo. The visit of Pope Leon XIV to Madrid this year attracted the attention not only of believers, but also of cultural figures, once again raising the question of the role of music in public and religious events.
