Pope Leo XIV departs for Spain this Saturday, and a new hymn is marking the occasion. Catholic musicians Matt Maher and Audrey Assad Kroger recorded an English version of “I Lift Up My Eyes,” a song commissioned for the papal visit. You can read the full announcement at Aleteia.
The digital community VIVAFE released the hymn on streaming platforms Thursday. The song features what Aleteia describes as a “star-studded cast” of Catholic artists, though the English version highlights Maher and Kroger’s vocals.
## What happened
VIVAFE, a Spanish digital Catholic community, commissioned “I Lift Up My Eyes” to welcome Pope Leo XIV to Spain. The hymn released in multiple language versions, with the English recording featuring Matt Maher and Audrey Assad Kroger.
The Pope’s apostolic journey to Spain begins Saturday, June 6. This is Pope Leo XIV’s second international trip since his election in May 2025.
## Why this matters
Papal visits often inspire new sacred music, but commissioning a multilingual hymn for a single trip reflects the global reach of Pope Leo XIV’s early papacy. The choice of well-known English-language Catholic artists like Maher and Kroger signals an effort to engage English-speaking Catholics with the Spanish visit.
The hymn’s title, “I Lift Up My Eyes,” echoes Psalm 121, a pilgrim psalm about seeking help from the Lord. That scriptural connection gives the welcome song a foundation in the Church’s prayer tradition rather than contemporary praise aesthetics alone.
## For Catholic readers
If you want to pray for Pope Leo XIV’s journey to Spain, Psalm 121 is the biblical text this hymn draws from. You might pray that psalm for the Pope’s safety and fruitfulness during his visit. The hymn is available on major streaming platforms if you want to hear how Maher and Kroger interpreted the text.
**Sources:**
1. Aleteia — original report
