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Pope Francis speaks at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Reuters

Pope Francis kicked off a whirlwind tour of New York City Thursday with a Mass at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, before making stops at the United Nations, the Sept. 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center, a school in Harlem, Central Park and Madison Square Garden—all in two days. Here’s what the visit of this highly popular pope looked like, in photos.

He arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport Thursday afternoon, flying in from Washington, D.C., where he met with President Barack Obama and addressed a joint session of Congress.

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Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

He headed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a Mass, which was open only to the clergy of the cathedral.

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Pope Francis (L) embraces Cardinal Timothy Dolan after presiding over evening prayers at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Sept. 24, 2015. Reuters
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Pope Francis receives flowers as he leaves St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Sept. 24, 2015. Reuters
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A man stands across from St. Patrick's Cathedral Sept. 24, 2015 before the arrival of Pope Francis in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

At the United Nations, he addressed the General Assembly Friday morning, then met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as the president of the general assembly.

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Pope Francis signs a guest book as he meets with United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon (not pictured) at the United Nations in New York Sept. 25, 2015 in New York. Reuters

One downside to the pope’s visit was the traffic—roads closed, paths rerouted, delays on public transit. "There will be a number of street closures and anticipated traffic delays in the area of Central Park West, East Harlem, Financial District, Midtown, Madison Square Garden, and the Upper East Side," the city said before his visit .

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A police car sits on a corner near St. Patrick's Cathedral before the arrival of Pope Francis on Sept. 24, 2015 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

After addressing the General Assembly, Pope Francis headed downtown to the World Trade Center at the Sept. 11 Memorial there. He delivered an address and participated in a meeting.

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Pope Francis prays for the victims at the Sept. 11, 2001 memorial in New York, Sept. 25, 2015. Reuters

Pope Francis was scheduled to visit East Harlem for a meeting with third-grade students at Our Lady Queen of Angels school Friday afternoon. He planned to then embark on a short drive through Central Park on the Pope Mobile, entering on the West Side and exiting at 60th St.

Before and during his visit, vendors sold miniature statues and other swag, like keychains, T-shirts and magnets, to honor his visit.

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A man sells Pope Francis paraphernalia in Times Square on Sept. 24, 2015 in New York City. Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Pope Francis was scheduled to make his final appearance for a Mass at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. Friday. He then heads to Philadelphia Saturday morning.

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Downtown Philadelphia is viewed on Oct. 23, 2014. One of the nation's largest and most historic metropolitan areas, Philadelphia has become the poorest big city in America. It also has the highest rate of deep poverty in America - those with incomes below half of the poverty line - of any of the nation's 10 largest cities. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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