Long Islanders were among the thousands in the city trying to get a view of Pope Francis as he arrived in New York.
Merissa Bailey, of Greenport, says she hopped on a bus at 4:30 a.m. to get to St. Patrick's Cathedral.
"Everyone will be blessed," Bailey told News 12.
People from around the world were awaiting the pontiff's arrival, including Cindy Wei - an NYU student who works at the archdiocese of Taipei.
"I feel excited, I just came here to study a few months ago, and I heard that the pope is coming, so I think it's my destiny that I should meet him here," said Wei.
Pope Francis led the evening prayer at a Vespers service Thursday night and will deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.