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Tenor Bocelli to perform for Pope at Dublin event

The August Festival of Families concert will celebrate families and their faith from around the world
The August Festival of Families concert will celebrate families and their faith from around the world

World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform at an event in Dublin to be attended by Pope Francis later this month.

The Festival of Families concert on 25 August will celebrate families and their faith from around the world.

Over 70,000 people will take part, organisers have said.

The singer said: "Singing before Pope Francis is a privilege for our soul; it is an honour for what the supreme pontiff represents in the world.

"For the indescribable human fragility, typical of the average man such as myself, it brings me great pleasure and immense satisfaction to even have the privilege to be close to a person of such exceptional importance and grace.

"It is a joy to be able to offer my most modest contribution on the occasion of this grand meeting and moment of reflection about the family.

"The family remains the strongest building block of society, a cluster of affection, and a privileged space in which one can teach and learn - in every action - how to choose a life that leads toward the greater good," said Mr Bocelli.

Father Timothy Bartlett, secretary general of the World Meeting of Families 2018 event, said he was delighted.

"He will bring so much to our gathering not just because of his wonderful talent but because of his love for his faith.

"We are honoured that he has taken time out of an intensely busy schedule to come to Ireland to be part of our global celebration of family life," said Fr Bartlett.

Mr Bocelli has met Pope Francis and performed for him on more than one occasion including at the last World Meeting of Families which took place in Philadelphia in 2015.

He is a devout Catholic and has spoken openly many times about the importance of faith.

Mr Bocelli will join other well-known acts already announced for the event including Nathan Carter, Daniel O'Donnell and Moya Brennan.