FIVE-TIME GRAMMY®-NOMINATED ARTIST MATT MAHER ANNOUNCED TO PERFORM AT THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES WITH POPE FRANCIS NEXT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 IN PA

Five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Matt Maher has been announced to join the list of high profile performers and celebrities at Festival of Families, The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 with Pope Francis next Saturday, September 26 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

MAHER WILL BE PERFORMING ALONGSIDE ARETHA FRANKLIN, ANDREA BOCELLI AND THE PHILADELPHIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES

This will mark Maher’s second performance at a major event with Pope Francis as he performed his hit song “Lord, I Need You” in front of three million people on stage with Pope Francis at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Celebrating families and the unity of the church around the world, Maher is honored to be a part of this event as the Holy Father makes his first visit to the United States. 

“It is an absolute honor to be with so many other families from around the world and join them (and Pope Francis) in unity proclaiming a beautiful reminder - that at the center of any healthy society is the family,” shares Matt Maher about this upcoming event.

In addition to Maher, a long list of performers includes Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, Jim Gaffigan, The Fray, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Mark Wahlberg before the Papal Parade. Maher and the other artists will be performing on the Eakins Oval Stage beginning at 5:27 p.m. EDT. 

ABOUT MATT MAHER
Since his 2008 major label debut, recording artist, songwriter and worship leader, Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community. A five-time GRAMMY [®]  nominee, he has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” “All The People Said Amen,” “Your Grace Is Enough,” “Because He Lives (Amen),” Come As You Are,” and “Soul On Fire.” Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Passion and Meredith Andrews, among others. In 2013, Maher performed on stage with Pope Francis in front of more than three million people at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, and is scheduled to perform at World Youth Day 2016 taking place in Krakow, Poland. Maher released his fifth full-length studio release in March, Saints and Sinners. For more information visit https://www.mattmahermusic.com/. 

ABOUT WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. For more information visit https://www.worldmeeting2015.org/.