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Pope Francis comes to the Big Apple

Thousands, with tickets, flocked to Central Park to get a glimpse of the holy man

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Eighty thousand people, all with special passes to gain access to Central Park, waited in line for hours on Friday to get a glimpse of world-famous spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. And for everyone we spoke to, it was well worth the wait.

"It was a wonderful day," said Denise Lobascio, an East Rockaway resident who got her tickets from a local assemblyman and came with a friend and her daughter, Dorianna Gross. "It was great just being there, just seeing him," said Lobascio.

Her daughter agreed. "I missed school, and I'd never done that before," said Dorianna, who attends college upstate. "But this was something I wouldn't have missed. It was great."

Francis, who was traveling in his specially-designed "popemobile" rode through the park from a school he visited in Harlem to Madison Square Garden to celebrate Mass on Friday before heading to Philadelphia.

People from all walks of life, and from all faiths, made the pilgrimage to the park, looking for a sign from God, a new hope for this country, world peace, religious freedom, or a more personal experience. Many of them were from Long Island.

“This is an inspiration for the younger people in the church,” said Alexa Paradis of Bay Park, East Rockaway. "Many of the younger people have stopped going to church and lost interest,” she continued. “I think it is really cool to see how connected he is to everybody, no matter how young or old. It is very inspiring. A lot of people my age are not really into religion, and they don't take it seriously.”

Paradis, a parishioner of St. Raymond's Catholic Church of East Rockaway, was selected in the New York City ticket lottery and brought her mother, Janine Hines-Welch along for the once in a lifetime experience.

"I have a great love for the Pope ever since I can remember," said Hines-Welch. "My grandmother and my mom also loved the Pope. I feel this Pope is bringing the people back church and bringing everyone together in unity."

Cynthia Chaffee, who has lived in New York City since 1970 with her husband Peter, but grew up in West Hempstead, came to Central Park to see the Pope after writing him several letters.

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