Nathan Carter and Daniel O'Donnell among entertainers to perform for Pope Francis this evening

An audience of more than 82,000 people, comprising families from 116 countries, will be entertained by a cast of thousands as they await the arrival of Pope Francis for the WMOF2018 Festival of Families this evening in Croke Park, Dublin.

The Festival of Families is choreographed as a celebration of family life. It is one of the highlights of the WMOF2018. World renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli will take centre stage in Croke Park Stadium and will join the cast of thousands including Nathan Carter, Daniel O’Donnell, Celine Byrne, Seán Keane, Eimear Quinn, Cuthbert Tura Arutura, the Palestrina Choir and the Choir of Ages.

As well as these artists, the cast for the Festival of Families will include an orchestra of more than 50 musicians; over 700 Irish, Sean Nós and contemporary dancers, including 500 from Irish dance schools across the country; a 1,000-strong choir; 100 community groups, and 300 flag bearers.

The selection of themes and artists featured in the event reflect many of the priorities in the ministry of Pope Francis including homelessness and those on the margins; migrants and refugees; care for our common home and the importance of the family.

Pope Francis will join the Festival of Families one hour into the event and following a tour of Croke Park will deliver an address to all gathered in the stadium.

The stage design for the Festival of Families will includes a ‘Circle of Encounter’ where Pope Francis will join with families from across the world. He will hear testimonies from five families from Ireland, Canada, India, Iraq and Burkina Faso. The themes of the family testimonies will focus on: forgiveness in family; strength in family; hope in family life; the intergenerational nature of families today and the impact of technology on family life.