Mark Wahlberg to emcee papal event

THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW him as a Calvin Klein underwear model or Ted's bestie in the raunchy comedy "Ted" or the fellow who is trying to expunge his past criminal record, but the devoutly Catholic Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg is a man of faith in real life.

World Meeting of Families organizers indeed announced yesterday that the actor-producer-restaurateur will emcee the Festival of Families lineup Sept. 26 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

"As a Catholic, I credit much of my success to my faith," Wahlberg said in a statement. "It is an honor to be a part of welcoming Pope Francis to Philadelphia and I am humbled to join this celebration."

Organizers also announced more acts set to perform for the event and Pope Francis: soul icon Aretha Franklin, the rock band the Fray, comedian Jim Gaffigan and Philly's own Sister Sledge.

Franklin said in a statement: "It is indeed a blessing to sing in the presence of His Holiness and to the attendees of the Festival of Families in the City of Brotherly Love.

"I look forward to this event. Be blessed!"

An enthusiastic Joni Sledge told the Daily News that Sister Sledge was honored to perform at the event.

"We have tremendous respect for Pope Francis' bold and generous expression of love for all people. And he chose Philly to demonstrate this! How Amazing!" Sledge wrote.

"We are hometown girls, big Eagles fans and Temple grads, and honored to have been invited. We are truly, Fam-a-Lee," she added.

The artists will join previously announced acts, Colombian rock star Juanes, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Wahlberg has spoken extensively of his Catholic faith and says he makes it a point to stop by a church every day to pray.

And these days, the former rapper has asked the Massachusetts Board of Pardons for a pardon related to his assault conviction. He punched two men of Asian descent in 1988 when he was 16, calling one of them "Vietnam f---ing s---" while trying to steal two cases of beer.

"I am deeply sorry for the actions that I took on the night of April 8, 1988, as well as for any lasting damage that I may have caused the victims," Wahlberg wrote in his pardon application, according to documents obtained by New England Cable News. "Since that time, I have dedicated myself to becoming a better person and citizen so that I can be a role model to my children and others."

He admitted in the application that a pardon would help in his work with at-risk youth and assist in his obtaining a concessionaire's license, a permit that would help him expand Wahlburgers, the restaurant chain in which he has financial interest.

Receiving the pardon would mean he isn't the same person from the night of the attack and "would be formal recognition that someone like me can receive official public redemption if he devotes himself to personal improvement and a life of good works," he wrote.

That might be something right up Pope Francis' alley.