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Papal performers

First artists confirmed for pope’s visit

PHOTOS: DAVID MAIALETTI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERNo place like Rome Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia (above, right) talks with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput before yesterday's meeting in Rome of the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family. Below, Paglia - who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for the Family - meets with Mayor Nutter.
PHOTOS: DAVID MAIALETTI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERNo place like Rome Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia (above, right) talks with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput before yesterday's meeting in Rome of the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family. Below, Paglia - who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for the Family - meets with Mayor Nutter.Read more
    by STEPHANIE FARR, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:farrs@phillynews.com">farrs@phillynews.com</a>, 215-854-4225
    Published 

CELINE DION ONCE said "If God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli."

Perhaps it's fitting then that Bocelli, the Italian tenor, is among the first artists confirmed to be performing for Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia in September.

Yesterday, organizers of the World Meeting of Families announced that Bocelli, Colombian musician Juanes and the Philadelphia Orchestra will all perform for Pope Francis during the Festival of the Families celebration on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, Sept. 26.

In a news release, organizers noted that "additional high profile acts are expected to be added in the next 1-2 months."

The Festival of the Families will be an intercultural celebration on the Parkway featuring music, dance and prayer. The festival caps off the weeklong World Meeting of Families congress at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and precedes the papal Mass on the Parkway slated for Sunday, Sept. 27.

Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of the World Meeting of Families, who is currently in Rome in preparation for the upcoming event, said in a news release that organizers "wanted to ensure that we brought together performers that represented the world."

While Bocelli represents Pope Francis' links to Rome, Juanes represents the pope's ties to South America. According to the news release, Juanes is "the world's leading all-Spanish language rock artist" and a global activist who advocates for "the basic human right of peace."

In addition to performing at the Festival of Families, the Philadelphia Orchestra will also perform at the papal Mass on Sunday. Both performances will be led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the orchestra's music director.

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