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We aren't family! Sister Sledge set perform iconic hit for the Pope without sibling Kathy because of long running feud

Published: 15:59 EST, 25 September 2015 | Updated: 20:09 EST, 25 September 2015

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One of their biggest hits was 'We Are Family.'

But Sister Sledge don't seem to be living up to the words of their famous song, with TMZ reporting one of the siblings is definitely not welcome when they hit the stage on Saturday to perform in front of Pope Francis.

The iconic band, made up of Debbie, Kim, Joni, and Kathy Sledge, are one of a number of musical acts scheduled to appear at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

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Where did the love go? Sister Sledge will be performing for the Pope at the World Meeting of Families on Saturday - without their sibling Kathy because of long running feud

Estranged: Debbie, Kim and Joni will be taking to the stage as a trio to perform their international hit We Are Family at the event in Philadelphia - but they definitely aren't getting on like one

However apparently Kathy isn't welcome for their turn on the stage.

According to the website she is not taking this lying down, and is determined to take part by whatever means she can.

As part of his papal visit the Pontiff, is set to watch a number of acts at the World Meeting of Families, including Mark Whalberg, Aretha Franklin and The Fray.

Our way of the highway: The iconic group fell out in 1989 when Kathy said she wanted to try going solo

Opera singer Andrea Bocelli is also performing.

Sister Sledge are thought to have become estranged some years ago - when Kathy, now 56, decided to go solo in 1989.

In an interview with Yahoo, she revealed her siblings were not happy, and her take on the whole affair was they immediately decided to move on without her.

Playing for the pontiff: The Pope is attending the Meeting of Families celebration - which includes the Festival of Families where they are taking to the stage

She said: 'They said: "If you do it, you gotta leave. They went out as a group on their own, and they had a photo shoot and didn’t invite me. And that hurt.'

According to Kathy, in 2013, her sisters created even more bad blood, taking Kathy to court.

She said: 'They tried to make it so that I wasn’t allowed to say I’m of Sister Sledge or from Sister Sledge. They thought it was a conflict.'

After spending $80,000, they settled the suit.

Not on speaking terms: Kathy said in an interview last year she did not think the rift between her and her sister's would ever be healed

She confessed she doesn't speak to her sisters and no longer sees them at Christmas. and Kathy does not think she will ever get back together with her siblings.

The Festival of Families which is being held on Saturday, is an international celebration of family, community, and faith.

As it stands it will be Joni, Debbi and Kim taking to the stage for the event.

Joni spoke out about the siblings nerves, saying they are unsure of what to say to the Pope if they get a chance to speak to him.

Performing: Mark Wahlberg is also on the bill

She said: 'We've been asking about protocol because I think just the fact that he is the Pope - someone who should be honoured - means there is protocol to follow. We definitely want to respect the tradition.'

The group were raised as Methodist Christians by their parents and first began singing at their local church, the Williams Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal.

Although Sister Sledge are not Catholics, they have been following Pope Francis' speeches and sermons since his Papacy began in March 2013 and respect his humility and messages of mercy and agapeistic love.

Big voice: Soul singer Aretha Franklin is also doing a star turn

Joni said: 'We're not Catholics but we believe in the Pope.

'We've been reading a lot of interesting things about him and he has a different approach to previous Popes. He's very open in terms of equality and that essentially we are all people. We are all in a position to do something great towards humanity. So we support him.'

They plan to perform a special rendition of 'We Are Family' as the song has become a mantra for peace around the world.