It's Il Papa in the Big Apple: Crowds greet Francis in NYC as he warns against greed and materialism in prayers at St Patrick's (and even Trump had to see the spectacle)
- Pope Francis landed at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York after spending two days in Washington, DC
- He was welcomed by a cheering crowd before boarding a helicopter to Manhattan to lead evening prayers at St Patrick's Cathedral
- Thousands of adoring well wishers lined Fifth Avenue hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope as he made his way to the Cathedral in his iconic popemobile
- Francis blessed a wheelchair-bound girl as he made his way to the altar, before using his sermon to dedicate prayers to the families of several hundred Muslim pilgrims killed in a stampede during Hajj in Mecca
- He also condemned clergy who 'harmed and scandalized the church' during the sex abuse crisis, thanked religious 'women of strength' in America and said 'worldly comforts' can alienate people from the reality of poverty
- Tomorrow he will pack in appearances at the United Nations, the 9/11 Memorial and a Catholic school in East Harlem before leading a parade and mass at Madison Square Garden
Pope Francis was greeted by thousands of adoring well wishers as he arrived in New York and made his way to St Patrick's Cathedral to lead evening prayers.
The next stage of the Pope's whirlwind tour of America saw him driven through the streets of Midtown, Manhattan, in his popemobile as worshipers who had waited for hours to get a glimpse of him screamed with delight.
A huge motorcade of police cars, ambulances and Secret Service vehicles escorted the Pontiff as he made his way along a packed Fifth Avenue to the Cathedral - and even Donald Trump got a view of the Pope's arrival from Trump Tower, where he was watching events unfold with his family.
Tremendous choir music rang out and worshipers cheered as the Pope entered, stopping to bless a wheelchair-bound girl and accept a bouquet of flowers from one of the hundreds inside.
He used his touching sermon to send his sympathies to the families of several hundred Muslim pilgrims killed in a stampede today during Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, offering prayers to his 'Islamic brothers and sisters'.
Francis also warned that 'worldly comforts' and materialism can alienate people from the realities faced by those who are in poverty, adding: 'Little by little, it diminishes our spirit of sacrifice.'
The Pope later addressed the Catholic Church's sex abuse crisis, condemning clergy who 'harmed and scandalized the church', while adding separately that he was thankful of the work of religious 'women of strength' in America.
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Through the throngs: Pope Francis waved as he approached the St Patrick's Cathedral to lead evening prayers in New York
Greetings, New York: Pope Francis waved to the thousands of well wishers on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, as he made his way to prayers at St Patrick's Cathedral
Thousands of people were waiting for him, cheering as they captured the historic moment on their phones and tablet devices
Pope Francis leaned out of the popemobile to wave to the throngs of people who had waited for hours for a glimpse of him
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, joined by his son Eric (left) waved to the crowds as he waited to watch the Pope pass by this afternoon
The Donald made his way down from Trump Tower to meet with people gathered on the streets ahead of the Pope's arrival
Old and new: The Pope passed by a Microsoft store as he traveled down Fifth Avenue, cheered on by thousands of well wishers
Thousands of adoring well wishers lined the streets of Midtown, Manhattan, this afternoon as the Pope arrived, leaning out of a car window to wave to his followers before boarding his iconic popemobile
The Pope had earlier spoken with cerebral palsy sufferer Gerard Gubatan, from Brooklyn, after arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport
Good evening: The Pope waved as he made his way through Midtown, waving to the crowds from his popemobile
A huge motorcade of police cars, ambulances and Secret Service vehicles escorted the Pontiff as he made his way through the gathered crowds towards the Cathedral
The Pope was escorted by a huge motorcade of security vehicles while police held back the huge crowds on the sidewalk
Members of the Press were seen taking photographs of the Francis as he stepped off of his popmobile outside St Patrick's Cathedral
The grand arrival: The Pope was driven to the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral before entering the huge church in Manhattan
Rapturous applause filled St Patrick's Cathedral as the Pope entered, accompanied by stunning choir music.
He shook hands with worshipers inside the huge church and stopped to bless a wheelchair-bound girl, before being handed a bouquet of flowers, which he carried with him as the procession led him towards the altar.
Francis donned an emerald green and golden gown as he joined the gathered Catholics in enjoying the choir's songs, before using his sermon to pay a touching tribute to his 'Islamic brothers and sisters' after hundreds of Muslim pilgrims were killed in a stampede during Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
He said: 'I would have wished my greeting to be warmer, my sentiments of closeness. My sentiments of closeness in the face of tragedy. The tragedy that they suffered in Mecca. In this moment I give assurances of my prayers. I unite myself with you all. A prayer to almighty God, all merciful.'
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He also thanked and proclaimed his love for the religious women of America. 'In a special way I would like to express my gratitude to the religious women of the US,' he said.
'What would the church be without you? Women of strength. Fighters with that spirit of courage which puts you in the front lines, in the proclamation of the gospel.
'To you religious women, sisters and mothers of this people, I wish to say thank you. A big thank you. And to tell you that I love you very much.'
The Pope again raised the Catholic Church's sex-abuse crisis, by consoling clergy for the suffering the scandal had caused them.
Francis said some of the clergy had 'suffered greatly in the not-distant past by having to bear the shame of some of your brothers who harmed and scandalized the church in the most vulnerable of her members'.
Happy to be here: The Pontiff could hardly hide his joy as he waved to the huge numbers of people waiting for him in New York City
Pope Francis was greeted by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (right), NYPD chief Bill Bratton (center) and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (left) as he arrived
Come in: Security agents held open the door for Pope Francis as he made his way into the Cathedral, watched by hundreds of Catholics inside
Rapturous applause: The gathered crowds whooped and cheered as the Pope entered, humbly waving to his followers
Meeting worshipers: Francis shook hands with worshipers inside the huge church and stopped to bless a wheelchair-bound girl
Crossing the threshold: Pope Francis kissed a cross as he entered St Patrick's Cathedral on his first day in New York City
Cheeky grin: Pope Francis moved through the crowd with a smile on his face as he prepared to read his sermon to the crowd
Chilled: The Pontiff looked relaxed and happy to be among fellow Catholics as he made his way to the front of the Cathedral
Meet and greet: Pope Francis chatted with a woman during the evening prayer service in Manhattan's St Patrick's Cathedral
Thank you: Tremendous choir music rang out and worshipers cheered as the Pope entered, stopping to accept a bouquet of flowers
Ceremony: Francis donned an emerald green and golden gown as he joined the gathered Catholics in enjoying the choir's songs
Pope Francis had his hat adjusted during the evening prayer service, which he dedicated to Muslim pilgrims killed in a stampede in Mecca
The Pope sat and listened the choir's songs with a smile on his face before standing to deliver his sermon to his followers
Watching intently: Pope Francis paid tribute to the hundreds of Muslim pilgrims killed in a stampede during Hajj in Mecca today
Thanks: The Pontiff also thanked and proclaimed his love for the religious women of America, including nuns watching in the cathedral
Pope Francis also condemned members of the clergy who brought shame on the Church during the sex abuse scandal
Through the lens: Francis's audience watched his arrival through their phones and tablets, filming the historic moment
Pope Francis said farewell to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee, wearing a veil, as he left the Cathedral after prayers
Pope Francis, the first Pontiff to visit New York since Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, was followed out of the Cathedral by his security detail
Goodnight and God bless: The Pope was back in his traditional white robes as he left the Cathedral, turning back to wave to his followers
Is that the time already? Francis, perhaps aware of his busy schedule tomorrow, glanced at his watch after getting back into the Fiat 500
Until tomorrow: The Pope said farewell to those who had waited for him to leave the Cathedral as he was driven to Vatican's residence in New York, on the Upper East Side
After landing at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, near Wall Street, the Pope made his way into a waiting Fiat 500 to be driven to the Cathedral.
Thousands of people were seen lining the streets as they waited for the leader of the Catholic Church to arrive for the ceremony. And Francis did not disappoint, leaning out of the car window to wave to the crowds as they screamed with joy.
After a quick stop-off in a secure area away from the throngs of his followers, the Pope re-emerged in his popembile to huge cheers and applause from the vast crowds.
After a short drive, Pope Francis clambered out of his vehicle and stopped for a quick chat with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as bells rung out to commemorate the Pontiff's arrival.
Once he had left the Cathedral, Francis got back into the small Fiat and was driven to the Vatican's diplomatic residence on the Upper East Side.
The Pope had traveled to Manhattan in a Sikorsky military helicopter after landing at John F. Kennedy Airport from Washington, DC, in an American Airlines plane nicknamed Shepherd One especially for his U.S. tour.
After landing at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, near Wall Street, the Pope made his way into a waiting Fiat to be driven to the Cathedral
The Pope kept it simple by being driven to his popemobile in a Fiat - eschewing fancy cars and large SUVs in a typically humble move
Same rules for everyone: Even nuns from the Missionaries of Charity - established by Mother Teresa - got searched by security as they arrived for evening prayers, with police on high alert
The nuns did not seem to mind being searched, so long as they were able to make it to the Cathedral in time for the Pontiff
Phones at the ready: Crowds watched as Pope Francis's motorcade moved through New York City on the way to St Patrick's Cathedral
Thousands of well wishers lined the streets near St Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, where he later led evening prayers
Police were on high alert as the Pontiff made his way towards the Cathedral, which is near the Rockefeller Center in Midtown
Patience is a virtue: Parishioners waited patiently for the Pope to arrive inside St Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday afternoon
Here on time: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio arrived outside St Patrick's Cathedral for Pope Francis's arrival on Thursday afternoon
Police line: NYPD officers put up a temporary blockade as roads in Midtown, Manhattan, were closed ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis
A 200-strong welcome party greeted Francis at JFK earlier this afternoon before he made his way to the Cathedral, which is his only scheduled event for the evening ahead of a packed Friday.
Francis removed his skullcap as he walked down the steps of the American Airlines aircraft on a breezy day at JFK, before putting it back on as he gave New York Cardinal Francis Dolan a hug and a kiss and shared a warm handshake with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzo of Brooklyn.
A high-school band played 'New York, New York' as Francis made his way to the crowd, where Catholic schoolchildren were waiting to present him with a bouquet and a collection of prayers written by students in the city's 86 Catholic schools.
Tomorrow Francis will appear at the United Nations, the 9/11 Memorial, and a Catholic school in East Harlem, in addition to a parade through Central Park and mass at Madison Square Garden.
The long day will start at 8.30am at the UN, where he will address the General Assembly before traveling to a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial.
At 4pm the Pope will make a short visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem.
He will follow this up with a huge procession through Central Park, ending the day with a mass at Madison Square Garden.
Francis is expected to leave New York for Philadelphia at approximately 8.40am Saturday.
It is the first papal trip to New York since Pope Benedict XVI visited in April 2008, and comes after Francis charmed Washington, DC for two days with his inspiring sermons and down-to-earth demeanor.
The Pontiff boarded his plane to New York at Andrews Air Force Base, spending a good amount of time on the tarmac saying goodbye to the many who turned out to see him off on his journey - including Secretary of State John Kerry - before humbly carrying his own bag on board.
Blessings: Pope Francis reached out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of Brooklyn as he was greeted on his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport
Pope Francis kissed a child after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport as a 200-strong crowd waved Vatican flags
The Pope reached out to greet well wishers after arriving at JFK after flying in from Washington DC earlier in the afternoon
Gift: Pope Francis smiled after he was given a doll - apparently of him - by one of the welcome party at John F. Kennedy Airport
Windswept: Francis removed his skullcap as he walked down the steps of the American Airlines aircraft on a breezy day at JFK
Welcome! Pope Francis (pictured being greeted by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio) arrived in New York as he began the next leg of his whirlwind American tour by leading evening prayers at St Patrick's Cathedral
Welcome to New York: Pope Francis waved to the gathered crowds as he walked down the steps of an American Airlines plane
Touch down: A 200-strong welcoming party was waiting for the Pope, who later led evening prayers at St Patrick's Cathedral
The Pontiff traveled to Manhattan in a Sikorsky military helicopter after landing at John F. Kennedy Airport in an American Airlines plane, nicknamed Shepherd One
An Osprey helicopter escorted the Pope's aircraft as it flew over the Statue of Liberty on its way to Downtown Manhattan
The Sikorsky helicopter bearing the US flag was flanked by an Osprey chopper and watched carefully by the U.S. Coast Guard as it came in to land
The military aircraft was quickly followed in by an Osprey helicopter, which flanked the Pope's chopper on its flight from JFK Airport
Back on dry land: Both helicopters kicked up spray from the sea as they landed at Downtown Manhattan Heliport near Wall Street
A short while later the Pope arrived at Downtown Manhattan Heliport where he got into a Fiat 500 to be driven to the Cathedral
Pope Francis boarded a plane bound for New York City Thursday evening, after spending two days touring Washington, DC on the first stop of his whirlwind American tour
The Pope's plane for this trip has been nicknamed 'Shepherd One' for the Pope's role as 'shepherd' of the Catholic people
As always, the humble pope carried his own bag onto the plane. His down-to-earth personality is part of what has made Francis a beloved figure around the world, even outside the Catholic church
Secretary of State John Kerry, a practicing Catholic, was on hand at Joint Base Andrew in Maryland to see the pope off Thursday afternoon
The pope landed in the nation's capitol on Tuesday and spent the last few days meeting with President Obama, addressing Congress and greeting tens of thousands of faithful American Catholics who waited hours to catch a glimpse of Francis.
Earlier Thursday, Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pontiff ever to address Congress.
Following the monumental meeting, in which he called on American leaders to lead the change on issues like global warming and immigration, the Pope briefly addresses the crowds of about 50,000 gathered on the Capitol's West Lawn.
Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner, both Catholic, the Pope spoke in his native Spanish, and said: 'We are so grateful for your presence here...the most important ones here, the children.'
Boehner, a former altar boy, was brought to tears just being in the Pope's presence and had to wipe his face and blow his nose during the brief appearance on the Capitol balcony. Boehner has personally invited three popes to speak to Congress since he was elected into office more than two decades ago, and Pope Francis is the first to accept his offer.
'I ask you all, please pray for me. And if there are among you who do not believe or cannot pray, I ask you please to send good wishes my way,' the Pope said.
After the blessing, the Pontiff waved to the crowd and said: 'God Bless America!'
The first time Congress invited a foreign dignitary to speak at the Capitol was in 1874, for King Kalakaua of Hawaii.
It wasn't until 1934 that another dignitary was invited, but since the 1950s such addresses have become commonplace.
Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, have all spoke to the members of House and Senate.
It was Netanyahu's recent visit that was the most critiqued, as he took the opportunity to condemn President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.
John Boehner (right) wept as the pope spoke in Spanish from the balcony, translated by his Gibraltar-born translator Mark Miles (left)
'I ask you all please to pray for me. And if there are among you any who do not believe or who cannot pray, I ask you please to send good wishes my way'
Pope Francis, accompanied by US Vice President Joe Biden, waved to the crowd after addressing the US Congress in Washington, DC
The tens of thousands gathered on the Capitol's West Lawn Thursday morning watched the Pope's speech on big screens
While the Pope was speaking to Congress, the tens of thousands gathered on the West Lawn watched from big screens specially erected for the event
Pope Francis, accompanied by members of Congress, waved to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony on Capitol Hill in Washington
Pope Francis holds his hands out over the masses gathered outside the Capitol building on Thursday
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I love, love, love Pope Francis.
by lovedusty 312