Papal Visit

'Little Germany' Has Big Role In Pope's NYC Visit

NEW YORK (CBS) ― During his stay in New York, Pope Benedict XVI, the world's first German Pope, will visit New York's own "Little Germany," located in the part of Manhattan known as Yorkville.

St. Joseph's Church on East 87th Street will be one of the locations the pontiff will visit come next week, and church officials are thrilled.

"I think it's terrific," said Msgr. Lawrence Connaughton, who was a pastor at the church for 12 years. He will be one of the few Catholics present for an ecumenical prayer service.

"He's bringing in all Christian faiths, inviting all Christian faiths to celebrate who we are as a Christian people," said Connaughton.

Connaughton will be also one of those who has the honor of actually greeting the Pope at the historic German parish.

So, what will he say?

"I would reassure him of my prayers for him. He has a heavy load," said Connaughton.

Julia Winter, who came with her parents to the parish from Bavaria when she was 2-years-old, was excited for several reason.

"It's exciting to, number one, have a Pope come to your own parish; and second, because he's Bavarian," she said.

And even locals who won't get to see the Pope are happy to hear he'll be visiting their neck of the woods. The stately and musical Liederkranz Club has a history dating back to 1847, and though Benedict won't be visiting there, the fact that he's visiting Yorkville is a source of pride even for non-Catholics.

"Culturally, for us, it's phenomenal, and everyone knows he's coming here," said Lya Pfeifer.

Aside from Yorkville, the Pope will be addressing the United Nations, visiting a seminary in Yonkers, and offering mass at Yankee Stadium. And though he'll be taking part in those major events, if only for a brief time, he'll turn one of Manhattan's tiny, tight-knit neighborhoods into a larger-than-life grand stage.

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