Throngs of excited New Yorkers greeted Pope Francis Thursday along Fifth Avenue as made his way to St. Patrick's Cathedral.
He was welcomed by crowds at John F. Kennedy International Airport after arriving from D.C.
Water cannons from the New York Fire Department also greeted him when his helicopter landed in the city.
FDNY water canons greeted #PopeFrancis as he helicoptered into NYC #PopeinNYC http://t.co/rPsahaaR04
Those who were to attend the evening prayer in the cathedral waited in high spirits for hours inside until the pontiff arrived.
Security was tight in, and around, the cathedral in anticipation of his visit.
Like, real tight.
Despite the street closures, New Yorkers throughout the city appeared excited to have the pope there.
And people were thrilled when he arrived at the cathedral.
Pope Francis is scheduled to offer a multi-religious service Friday at the 9/11 Memorial and visit Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem. His motorcade will then ride through Central Park.
