NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Pope Francis was “overwhelmed” by his warm reception in New York City during his last visit, according to Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
In September 2015, Pope Francis visited New York City for the first and last time before his death, holding services at the 9/11 memorial, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Madison Square Garden. Pope Francis died Monday after battling double pneumonia.
Pope Francis conducts Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 25, 2015. The Pope is in the midst of a five-day tour of the States, across New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, after three days in Cuba. (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
"Welcome Pope Francis" mural sponsored by www.popeinusa.com outside Madison Square Garden on September 25, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Walter McBride/GC Images)
Pope Francis and New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan pray at The World Trade Center's Reflecting Pool during The Pontiff's trip to New York City, New York on September 25, 2015. (Photo by Joe Vericker/Getty Images)
Standing inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral Monday morning, Dolan shared anecdotes about Pope Francis' trip. Behind Dolan was the chair once used by Pope Francis and the chalice gifted to him during the Madison Square Garden service.
His multi-day 2015 trip was met with much fanfare – the Brooklyn diocese painted a 20-story mural near Madison Square Garden in preparation for the trip. The support surprised the pope, Dolan said.
“I remember as we got out of the popemobile in front of St Patrick’s after that tumultuous drive down Fifth Avenue, he said, ‘I thought Americans didn’t like religion,’” Dolan said. “He was also amazed at the enthusiastic reception that he got.”
Dolan recalled Pope Francis asking about buildings as the group drove through the streets of New York City.
“He was overwhelmed just by the size of the city,” Dolan said. “We have vivid grateful memories of him.”
About two dozen New Yorkers were chosen to meet Pope Francis during his trip, including political refugees from Central America and teen soccer players.
Before Pope Francis’ 2015 trip to New York City, then-Mayor Bill De Blasio announced a partnership between the city and the Archdiocese of New York to provide 150 beds to homeless shelters.
Mayor Eric Adams traveled to Italy to visit with the pope in May 2024. Adams said he and Pope Francis discussed conflicts in Haiti, Africa and the Middle East, according to the New York Times.
“He responded affirmatively and said: ‘Eric, please pray for me as well,’” Adams said, according to the New York Times.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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