Action News in Rome: Andrea Boccelli, Juanez to perform during papal visit

ROME (WPVI) -- We have known for several months now that the upcoming World Meeting of Families would be headlined by Pope Francis - a kind of international rock star.

But today we got word of some of the actual rock stars that will join him during that week in September, and it quickly became clear that this is an international event.

Donna Farrell, the Executive Director of Philadelphia's World Meeting of Families, began the announcement this morning by saying, "With more than 70 million records sold worldwide, his is a voice that is known and acclaimed across the globe."

And with that, organizers announced in Rome that famed Italian Tenor Andrea Boccelli would sing on stage the day before the Papal Mass at an event dubbed the Festival of Families on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

Also joining him, the chart topping Latin sensation Juanez and the world renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, which will also provide music for Sunday's Papal Mass along with a choir of 500 voices strong.

So, why such an emphasis on music?

Archbishop Charles Chaput explains, "Religion is not a narrow category. It's a very broad category. It's about responding to the beauty of the world in which we live and that God created and to use our talents as human beings to give glory to God."

But Archbishop Chaput, who later joined the delegation for closed door meetings at the Vatican, is also candid about his desire to make the World Meeting Families more than just a religious event. He, along with his clerical colleagues in Rome, are hoping it will be an transformative experience for a Church he says is in need of renewal.

"I hope it renews the Church of Philadelphia, and if that happens it'll renew the Church of the United States, too," the archbishop said.

For Philadelphia's mayor, Michael Nutter, all of this means another opportunity for the city to shine, on a global stage where the stars aren't just the people on it.

Mayor Nutter tells us, "The visuals of the Ben Franklin Parkway, certainly hundreds of thousands of people out there as day turns to night, how the parkway lights up, the backdrop of the art museum - all of that, is just spectacular."

The mayor says, "Our Parkway has seen many great performers, of course. I think though we can all agree that this will be different."

Yes it will ... and that's by design.

The artists, some of them known better around the world than they are in Philadelphia, bring with them an enormous global following, ensuring that the event reaches audiences everywhere - even, perhaps especially, those who have turned away from the Church.

We also got official word today that the pope will not only appear at that Festival on the Parkway the night before the Mass, but he will also speak at it ... meaning one more chance for the millions of anticipated visitors to see and hear from him.

And for the pope, one more chance to renew the Church he leads.