Apr 19, 2008 9:07 pm US/Eastern
Yonkers Residents Line Up To See The Pope
YONKERS (CBS) ―
Yonkers spent days preparing for Saturday's youth rally, and when the time came to host Pope Benedict XVI, many gathered on street corners hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff in their hometown.
"If the pope coming to Yonkers gives more people reason to come to Yonkers, then, welcome" said Yonkers resident Mark Constantine.
Hometown pride prompted Constantine to greet the pope with a giant sign. Others put out religious statues, and waved the white and yellow Vatican flag.
A small crowd gathered at the heavily guarded intersection of Yonkers Avenue and Midland Avenue, hoping the pope's motorcade would pass by.
"I just want to see him pass by," said Albertina Ortiz. "That's enough for me!"
"To me, he does represent the succession from Peter, all the way back to Christ," added Charles Chavana.
At 4:30 p.m., the motorcade approached and the crowd cheered as they spotted the pope in the rear seat of the second limousine. It was brief, but a blessing to the faithful.
"I've seen the pope in Ireland in 1975, and it's the best day of my life since then, that I got to see this pope now," said Mike Odonohue.
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