Cuomo says ‘tremendous honor’ to have Pope Francis in NY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pleased to welcome Pope Francis in New York. The pope led mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Thursday and is addressing the United Nations General Assembly this morning.

The pope is also scheduled to visit the 9/11 memorial site today, where nearly 3,000 people were killed by terrorist attacks in September 2001.

After visiting the site, the pontiff will meet with local representatives of the world religions inside Foundation Hall at the 9/11 Memorial Museum for a multi-religious meeting for peace.

“It is a tremendous honor to welcome Pope Francis to New York State,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Both in his teachings and in his travels around the globe, Pope Francis has inspired countless people to live with kindness for one another, and to reach out for and help those in need. These are ideals that are also deeply entwined in the spirit of New York, and I am honored that the Holy Father is including our state in his first visit to the United States. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am proud to receive him with open arms, and I hope that his visit will be peaceful and rewarding.”

The pope this afternoon is scheduled to visit Our Lady Queen of Angels school in East Harlem. He will then travel by motorcade through Central Park to meet and greet New Yorkers.

At 6 p.m., he will lead a Mass for up to 19,000 people at Madison Square Garden. On Saturday morning, the pope leaves for Philadelphia from John F. Kennedy International Airport.