Catholic choir kicks off concert to welcome Pope Francis before Mass at Madison Square Garden

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Jennifer Hudson sings "Hallelujah" prior to a Mass led by Pope Francis at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 in New York. (Andrew Burton/Pool Photo via AP)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A concert featuring Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick Jr. is welcoming Pope Francis to Madison Square Garden.

The concert at the 20,000-seat arena began Friday afternoon with a Catholic choir from the Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Harlem. Clad in white robes, they stood on an elevated altar at one end of the floor where Francis will celebrate Mass Friday night.

Martin Sheen is hosting the event.

The arena was only somewhat full for the start of the show, due to slow-moving security lines.

The event, call A Journey in Faith, is produced by the Archdiocese of New York. The pope is slated to arrive at the concert’s conclusion.

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