Pope To Stay At Vatican's Diplomatic Residence On Upper East Side
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The pontiff, known for living simply and humbly, will stay in one of the most exclusive areas of New York when he arrives in the city on Thursday.
Pope Francis will be staying at the Vatican's diplomatic residence, a five-story townhouse on East 72nd Street just off Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side.
Last-minute preparations have been underway at the pope's home away from Rome as dozens of police officers work outside and people in the neighborhood stop to snap pictures of the papal residence.
"It's a very exciting moment for everyone," said Diane Moran from East Hampton. "I think everyone's happy he's here."
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the pope's visit brings "such excitement" to the city.
"I think this pope is having a global impact across all faiths, all nations and to have him here in the center of the world, as I say, the greatest moral leader on Earth here in the greatest city in the world, is a match made in heaven," he told CBS2's Andrea Grymes.
With just a few more hours to make sure security plans are firmly in place, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said the NYPD is ready.
"This has been months in the planning," he said. "People can come into New York, celebrate and enjoy and feel secure."
Special fencing has gone up on Fifth Avenue where Pope Francis will arrive later Thursday for evening prayers at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Fencing has also gone up on the west side of Central Park for the procession there Friday afternoon after his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
At St. Patrick's Cathedral, finished renovations have left it brighter, cleaner and in better repair just in time for the pope's visit, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
Standing in the sanctuary of the cathedral, Cardinal Timothy Dolan praised the workers who repaired the cracked and breaking stone and restored the 19th-century Gothic revival masterpiece to a burnished brilliance.
"The church's purpose is to let the grace and light of God's word and life shine forth in a very colorful way," Dolan said. "Stained glass windows personify that. And now that does it, right? And now look at the sun is coming through because of the radiance of the clean, restored stained glass."
On spending more than $170 million on the project, the cardinal said, "This is where God's people are inspired to go out and do the works of charity and mercy and health care for which the church is renowned."
The home where Francis is staying was originally owned by the family of New York City mayor Hugh Grant. His wife was deeply religious and had a chapel built inside the house, Grymes reported. Their children later donated the home to the Archdiocese of New York.
The pope's visit to the Big Apple also includes an interfaith service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, a visit to a school in East Harlem and Mass at Madison Square Garden.