"The situation is dire. We must do more to help [the Rohingya]," said the ambassador.

Public rallies have been banned since September 2016, when dozens of demonstrators were killed.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl will be among a number of faith leaders on hand.

"Sadly, religious freedom conditions deteriorated in many countries in 2017."

Philadelphia's Germantown Avenue gives a glimpse of the diversity of religious life in the city.

A clampdown on religious freedom has intensified in the province in recent months.