June 23, 2015

Andrea Bocelli, Juanes & Philadelphia Orchestra to perform for Pope Francis

By Christina LoBrutto
PhillyVoice Contributor

Charles Sykes/AP

Andrea Bocelli performs a free outdoor concert on Central Park's Great Lawn, in New York, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2011.

Italian classical tenor Andrea Bocelli, Colombian pop star Juanes and the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform for Pope Francis in September during his visit to Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families announced Tuesday.

The performers are the first three musical acts to be announced for the Festival of Families on Saturday, Sept. 26, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Other high-profile acts are expected to be announced over the next few weeks.

"To have Andrea Bocelli, one of the world’s great vocalists, and Juanes, one of the most popular performers in all of Latin America, come to Philadelphia for the Festival of Families is an extraordinary gift," Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, said in a statement.

"And to be able to have these incredible individuals perform with our hometown jewel in The Philadelphia Orchestra brings this event together in spectacular fashion."

The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, will also perform the liturgical music during the public Mass that Sunday.

@WMF2015 @WMOFDonna @nezetseguin and our musicians are excited to perform on the Parkway for @Pontifex!
— Phila Orchestra (@PhilaOrchestra) June 23, 2015