Watch Live: Pope Francis Leads Mass at Madison Square Garden, New York City

We’ll be updating this story with the freshest news and live streams from the Pope’s tour around NYC. Refresh the page for updates.

Pope Francis fever swept the streets of New York City on Thursday, as local politicians, law-enforcement officials and residents scurried to prepare for the arrival of the holiest man in the world.

By Thursday afternoon, city streets were blocked off; the papal townhouse on the Upper East Side was on lockdown; reporters and members of the Diocese of Brooklyn welcome party and kids’ band were in place at JFK Airport in Queens; and a crowd had gathered around St. Patrick’s Cathedral, his first stop in New York after JFK.

The Pope landed at JFK as planned around 5 p.m., greeting a waiting crowd and accepting a doll in his likeness before taking off via helicopter to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

On Thursday evening, he gave some emotional evening vespers remarks at the cathedral. “Rest is needed, as are moments of leisure and self-enrichment, but we need to learn how to rest in a way that deepens our desire to serve with generosity,” he said.

• PHOTOS: Pope’s Full Day in NYC

On Friday morning, the Pope spoke on the Iran nuclear deal, environmental justice and other pressing international issues at the United Nations General Assembly and stopped by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Next, he’s scheduled to visit Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem around 4 p.m., lead a procession through Central Park at 5 p.m. and lead a mass at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m.

Below you’ll find live video of the Pope at his most recent recorded location.

Here is the Pope’s full, two-day itinerary in New York.

Thursday, September 24

• 5 p.m. Arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport

• 6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Friday, September 25

• 8:30 a.m. Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly

• 11:30 a.m. Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center

• 4 p.m. Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem

• 5 p.m. Central Park Procession (route available here)
  

• 6 p.m. Mass at Madison Square Garden

Saturday, September 26

• 8:40 a.m. Departure John F. Kennedy International Airport
  

New York City officials will be closing off a large number of streets to ensure the Pope travels safely from stop to stop. Here’s a full list of street closures.

Here’s a lowdown from the MTA on public transit during the Pope’s visit. In short: Although some city buses will be re-routed to accommodate the Pope, all subway lines are expected to be running as usual. The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will be adding some inbound trains on Friday to transport people to the Pope’s Central Park procession. (More information on train service changes here.)

Want a primer on how local and federal law enforcement are protecting the Pope? Here are details on the NYPD and FBI’s security plan during his stay.

And here are some quick stats via the NYPD.

• The NYPD will use 24,500 barriers, 14,000 are owned by the department. It will total 196,000 feet of barrier or 37 miles.

• The department will use 1,200 traffic cones.

• 43 sand trucks will be utilized in Central Park in the security plan.

• 409 pieces of concrete block will be used citywide. They weigh 3,900 pounds each, totaling 818 tons.

• The department will use 19 barrier trucks over the course of the visit.

• Pope Francis will be in New York City for 39 hours and 40 minutes.

• He will cover 54 miles on the ground while he is in New York.

• He will be 4,270 miles from home (distance from Vatican City to JFK Airport).

• There will be 220 different motorcades in the city between the Pope and UNGA.

Related links:

PHOTOS: Pope Francis’ First Full Day in Washington, D.C.

What Will The Pope’s NYC Visit Cost Taxpayers?

Pope Francis Calls on Congress to Follow the Golden Rule: Full Remarks

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