“All you need is love,” a line from the Beatles song of the same name, is one of the most quoted lyrics of all time. Regardless of your age, nationality, or religious beliefs, music connects us in awe-inspiring ways. What is also interesting is that so much of music is defined by the theme of love. Falling in love, in pursuit of romance, happiness, and having a family, speaks to a universal human experience.
From September 22nd to the 27th, the Pope is visiting the United States. In Philadelphia, he is the star attendee of the highly anticipated World Meeting of Families. Held at the Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center, with 17,000 families already registered, this year’s event is guaranteed to garner a lot of attention.
Pope Francis addressing Congress. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
The World Meeting of Families is also sponsoring musical performers. TIDAL, the high-fidelity streaming service, just announced Wednesday, September 23rd, that it would provide streaming to the papal festival. The streaming feed will run from 9:30 a.m. ET until 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and is the closest way to attend events without fighting Philadelphia crowds or even getting off your couch.
The concert line-up promises to be a spectacular affair. Headliners include Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli. Juanes, performing a three-song set that will include the hit singles “A Dios Le Pido” and “Odio por Amor.” He also will play a still-untitled song he says will address the increasing violence in his native country, Colombia.
Because music touches our deepest emotions about love, these performers are a critical asset for the pope’s visit. It will be awesome to hear talented musicians perform in front of a rapt audience. Is there really a better way to connect to our families and each other than through music?
This is the eighth meeting of families and it’s anticipated to be the most popular one yet, especially with one of the most popular Popes of the century in attendance. Lizanne Magarity Pando, the director of marketing and communications for the event, spoke to NJ.com about preparing for The World Meeting of Families. Speakers will address the theme, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” Ms. Pando states she hopes for attendees to come together over, “All the things people are dealing with in their lives and relationships — dating, divorce, infertility.”
However, Ms. Pando emphasizes that there “fun things that are happening in the conference that aren’t related to speakers.” For example, the Mural Arts program painted a beautiful mural and Catholic Relief Services will invite attendees to make meals for people in West Africa. Pando says, “It’s something families can do together with their kids.”