Cortada prays from the Bernini Altar in St. Peter's Basilica during Jubilee Day for Artists

Miami artist Xavier Cortada was invited to the Vatican to participate in the Jubilee Day for Artists on February 17 and 18, 2000. Cortada was one of only 600 artists and cultural figures invited by the Vatican from every country in the world to reflect on this Jubilee Year.  Cortada was actually one of a few artists selected to meet with His Holiness John Paul II, and was also chosen to address the 3000+ people gathered at St. Peter's Basilica from the Bernini papal altar.