by germainebull » 09 Feb 2026, 12:55
Inside a bustling Beirut nightclub, electronic beats vibrated the walls, videos of popes flashed on screens, and Father Pesecuto commanded the turntables. More than 2,000 revelers filled the venue, but the spectacle caused unease among some Christians in Lebanon.
Pesecuto’s unexpected journey into electronic music began a decade ago in Portugal, born out of a need to raise funds for church debts. Since then, he has toured the world, even receiving a blessing from Pope Francis on his headphones. However, his Beirut show faced opposition: a small but outspoken group, including clergy, filed a formal complaint, arguing that the event distorted Christian images and violated church ethics.
The tension between tradition and modern expression.
A gripping story shows how a priest's beats can spark both celebration and controversy.
Inside a bustling Beirut nightclub, electronic beats vibrated the walls, videos of popes flashed on screens, and Father Pesecuto commanded the turntables. More than 2,000 revelers filled the venue, but the spectacle caused unease among some Christians in Lebanon.
Pesecuto’s unexpected journey into electronic music began a decade ago in Portugal, born out of a need to raise funds for church debts. Since then, he has toured the world, even receiving a blessing from Pope Francis on his headphones. However, his Beirut show faced opposition: a small but outspoken group, including clergy, filed a formal complaint, arguing that the event distorted Christian images and violated church ethics.
The tension between tradition and modern expression.
A gripping story shows how a priest's beats can spark both celebration and controversy.
