Pope Francis is in the area and many Catholics from Connecticut are making the trip to New York City and Philadelphia to see him on his historic first visit to the United States.
More than 250 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Hartford boarded buses heading to Philadelphia to attend a Papal Mass on Sunday and the World Meeting of Families spiritual conference.
"Very excited. Very emotional," Elizabeth Cuentas said.
Just before noon, they left from St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, St. Bridget's in Cheshire and Our Lady of Pompeii in East Haven.
Highlights of the New York Trip:
United Nations, 10:20 a.m.
Expect a half-hour speech when Pope Francis becomes the fourth pontiff to address the United Nations General Assembly. On the 70th anniversary of the annual session, Francis is also expected to meet with the U.N's secretary general, president of the General Assembly and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center, 11:30 a.m.
Local
After leaving the U.N., Francis will attend a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the site of the 2001 terror attacks in Lower Manhattan that killed nearly 3,000 people. Victims' families and first responders have been invited to the event.
Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem, 4 p.m.
Next up is a visit to a group of third- and fourth-grade students at a school run by a partnership trying innovative ways to revitalize Catholic education. Francis will also bless 150 immigrant New Yorkers, including children who fled violence in Central America.
Procession Through Central Park, Around 5:15 p.m.
A late addition to Francis' itinerary is sure to be one of the most spectacular of his visit — 80,000 people who won a ticketed lottery will witness Francis' progression along Central Park West Drive. Scalpers were selling the tickets for as much as $100 each.
Madison Square Garden, 6 p.m.
Twenty-thousand people are expected at MSG -- the home of the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty -- when Francis wraps up his New York visit by celebrating Mass. His chair for the service was constructed by immigrant day laborers, chosen to illustrate the pope’s concern for those who are marginalized.
Saturday Philadelphia Trip:
8:40 a.m. Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
9:30 a.m. Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
4:45 p.m. Visit to Independence Mall
7:30 p.m. Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sunday Philadelphia Trip:
9:15 a.m. Meeting with bishops at St. Martin's Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
11 a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
4 p.m. Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
7 p.m. Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
8 p.m. Depart for Rome
