Anne Elise Diaz has been singing for as long as she can remember, growing up in a home filled with music and faith. In February, the 16-year-old took that lifelong joy to a new level, stepping onto the stage at the 2026 Dallas Catholic Youth Conference to help lead her peers in praise and worship alongside musician Dave Moore and his band — an experience she calls both humbling and inspiring.
Music
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world. For years, it has been ravaged by civil war, tribal conflicts, and a lack of prospects for young people. It was here that a Capuchin priest decided to start something that might have sounded too crazy to many — a music school.
The liturgical music tradition of polyphony with its blend of melodies and harmonies should lift people’s spirits as it subtly transmits a message about diversity and unity, Pope Leo XIV said.