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Pop church services in Heidelberg: Harry Styles combines faith and music!
Heidelberg celebrates innovative pop services with Harry Styles to appeal to young people and loosen up traditional roles.
Pop church services in Heidelberg: Harry Styles combines faith and music!
Things are very different in the Holy Spirit Church in Heidelberg these days than in traditional church services. Here, pop music is not just heard, but lived. The pop services were launched with an exciting approach to appeal to young people and break old patterns. Last weekend saw a special appearance by Harry Styles, which attracted hundreds of visitors to the church and further increased interest in these unconventional events. This new offering regularly attracts over 1,000 people, while traditional Sunday services often only attract around 50 people. ZDF today reports that Pastor Vincenzo Petracca is behind this initiative to connect church with topics that are not normally the focus.
The pop services, which have been an integral part of the Holy Spirit Church since 2015, offer a unique platform to discuss topics such as homosexuality, unbelief and gender roles. According to Heiliggeist Heidelberg, the pop stars come into the sermons as role models. With artists like Taylor Swift, Adele and Madonna, not only is music celebrated, but faith is also viewed in a new light. Visitors find the topics refreshing and relevant as they are often discussed on social media.
A new path of faith
Creativity and modernity are the program at the pop services. Current social issues are repeatedly addressed and linked to the songs of pop icons. The Taylor Swift service, held in May 2024, attracted international attention and attracted over 1,000 attendees. What's more, reporting on these events took place in various media – from the “Frankfurter Allgemeine” to “Rolling Stone”. This shows the increasing interest in the connection between pop culture and spirituality.
As part of these services, the personalities of the artists are illuminated and attempts are made to enable new spiritual experiences. There are also thematic services about various pop icons, such as the recent one about Harry Styles. In the Church of the Holy Spirit, people not only celebrate music, but also discuss the influence it has on people's lives and faith. An important aspect of the church services is that they provide space for social debates - be it about queerness, women's rights or the role of the church in modern society.
The connection between music and faith
Music and faith have always had to be closely linked, but research shows that popular music has made a “spiritual turn”. Theologians consider the close relationship between popular culture and questions of faith to be significant. In recent decades it has become clear that pop music not only conveys emotions, but also addresses deeper questions about life. [SRF](https://www.srf.ch/kultur/musik/populaermusik-und- Glaube-like-a-prayer-so-nah-sind-sich-religion-und-der-pop) emphasizes that this interdependence between religion and music brings a new audience to churches.
The services in the Church of the Holy Spirit are free of charge and require prior reservation of seats. Upcoming events promise to continue this successful series, including an Advent jazz matinee and a Christmas pop service. A Lady Gaga service in May 2026 is already being planned. These creative programs are a truly outstanding example of how religion and contemporary culture can come together to revitalize the church in refreshing ways.