Dear Commons Community,

As provided by NBC News, Pope Francis plunged into the melting pot of New York on Thursday after reminding the country of its immigrant origins in the first papal speech before Congress. At an evening prayer service in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, he thanked American nuns for their strength and courage in a deeply meaningful acknowledgement of their service following a years long Vatican crackdown.

The popular pontiff received raucous cheers upon his arrival in Manhattan. Thousands of people lined the streets leading to St. Patrick’s to greet him, cheering, waving flags and adoringly chanting his name as he gestured toward them from his pope-mobile.

Here is a link to several videos provided by NBC News tracing his visit yesterday.  Catch especially the one of a girl in a wheelchair blessed by the Pope.

Tony