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Aretha Franklin performing, Mark Wahlberg hosting Philadelphia papal event
PHILADELPHIA – Singer Aretha Franklin will perform for Pope Francis during an outdoor festival in Philadelphia on the next-to-last night of his U.S. tour this month.
Organizers added the 72-year-old Franklin on Monday to the lineup for the Sept. 26 Festival of Families, the closing ceremony for the triennial World Meeting of Families conference.
They also announced that actor Mark Wahlberg will host and comedian Jim Gaffigan will perform.
The 44-year-old Wahlberg has credited his Catholic faith and a parish priest for his success after a rough upbringing in Boston that included cocaine addiction and a series of racially motivated attacks as a teenager.
The Fray, Sister Sledge, Andrea Bocelli, Juanes and The Philadelphia Orchestra are also performing. The next day Francis will celebrate Mass before an expected crowd of more than 1 million people.
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