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Pope Francis in New York City: Behind the Scenes

Pope Francis's visit to New York transformed the city (at least for several days). Guideposts editorial staff, who work in Manhattan, got a behind the scenes glimpse at the pope's visit, from the souvenirs to the papal procession in Central Park.

Enjoy these photos of Pope Francis' visit to New York City, most taken by Guideposts staff and friends.

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Guideposts: Pope Francis sign, New York City

This welcome appeared on the side of a building near Madison Square Garden weeks before the pope celebrated a Mass there.

Guideposts: New York Post, Pope Francis, New York City

Even the New York Pope, er, Post got into the spirit of things with a temporary change in its masthead.

Guideposts: Three orthodox Christian priests, Pope Francis. New York City

These priests from St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church in Princeton, New Jersey, were invited to the Pope's interfaith service at the 9/11 Memorial. Father Michael Sorial is on the far left.

Guideposts: A snapshot of Pope Francis at the 9/11 service, New York City

Father Michael Sorial took this picture of the pope with his phone at the 9/11 memorial service.

Guideposts: Souvenirs of Pope Francis' visit to New York City

Savvy vendors were selling souvenirs of the Pope's visit everywhere he went.

Guideposts: I love Pope Francis t-shirts, New York City

"I love Pope Francis" t-shirts were among the popular items sold near the 9/11 Memorial where Pope Francis conducted an interfaith service.

Guideposts: The line to see Pope Francis in Central Park, New York City

About 80,000 people won free tickets to see the pope's procession in Central Park, through a lottery run by the city. They began lining up more than 8 hours before the procession began.

An hour before the security check-in officially opened, lines to enter stretched over 12 blocks long.

Guideposts: A sign for people in the line to see Pope Francis in Central Park, New York City

For the thousands standing in line, reaching these signs indicated they were getting close to the security screening point.

Guideposts: ticke to see Pope Francis in Central Park, New York City

These tickets were prized possessions for many.

Guideposts: The security line to see Pope Francis in Central Park, New York City

Ticket holders waited patiently for hours as they made their way through the security check, where bags were searched and metal detectors were used.

Guideposts: clock over Central Park, where people waited for Pope Francis

Once through security, some attendees checked this clock that looks over the park from Central Park South to keep an eye on the countdown for the Pope's arrival.

Guideposts: The crowd to see Pope Francis in Central Park, New York City

Ticket holders were assigned to zones and ushered into particular areas of the park, bordered by metal barricades. On this hill, hundreds of attendees awaited the Pope's arrival.

Guideposts: Pope Francis waving from the back seat of a Fiat in New York City

One eagle-eyed observer spotted Pope Francis waving from the back seat of a Fiat as he made his way through East Harlem to Central Park.

Guideposts: Rainbow before Pope Francis arrived in Central Park, New York City

About an hour before the pope's arrival in the park, many in the crowd noticed several rainbows appeared overhead, despite the fact that there had been no rain.