What Happens After You See Pope Francis? New Yorkers Reflect On His Visit.

Pope Francis is nearing the end of his six-day, three-city tour of the United States -- and everywhere he goes, his events are the hottest tickets in town.

Massive crowds flocked to the East coast this week to see Francis in Washington, New York and Philadelphia. In New York, 80,000 people waited for hours to see him process through Central Park in his popemobile, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of his face or at least a flash of his white robes. The ride through the park lasted for a few brief minutes, but for some Catholics, the wait was worth it. 

But what happens when he's gone? How does the experience of seeing the pope in the flesh change the way people practice their faith?   

More than 20,000 attended Francis' Mass at Madison Square Garden on Friday. HuffPost Religion caught up with a few New Yorkers heading out of the arena that night. We asked them, "What do you think will change for you and in you, after seeing Pope Francis?" 

Here's what they told us.

Kate Kelly and Maura Kelly

St. Peter's Church, Liberty, New York

Kate Kelly and her daughter, Maura, said they waited in line for three and a half hours to get into Madison Square Garden for the pope's Mass. But it wasn't a problem for these lifelong Catholics -- the people on the line were friendly and both women felt "like little kids waiting for Christmas." Their seats were far away from the pope, but they could still see him on the screen during Mass.

Kate said that she hopes to bring Francis' message of kindness and love back home to her family and friends. 

"The pope's message was for everyone to treat everyone else as your friend," Kate said. "And to love your enemies, which is tough for me."

Kate said that this is something Francis inspired her to work on.

"I need to learn how to love people that have wronged me."

 

Dave Grossi and Michelle Curran

St. Patrick's Church, Yorktown Heights, New York

Both Dave and Michelle said they felt more alive and spiritually rejuvenated after seeing Francis in person.

They were particularly struck by a portion of Francis' homily in which the pope talked about people who walk through the city's streets in "deafening anonymity" -- the homeless, foreigners, elderly and others whose faces are "taken for granted" as part of the urban landscape. 

Jesus offers a hope that is "unafraid of involvement," Francis said during the sermon. "A hope which makes us see, even in the midst of smog, the presence of God as he continues to walk the streets of our city."

 "You start looking out for the needy and for your neighbor," Dave said, glancing around at the crowds pouring out of Madison Square Garden. "You see them in a different light and with different eyes after seeing Pope Francis."

 

Medha Kalelkar and Phil Pinto

Holy Cross Church, Harrison, New Jersey

This was Medha's very first Catholic Mass. Phil went to Catholic school as a child, but isn't as involved in the church as an adult. He says he usually attends Mass just once a year, during Christmas. 

Seeing Pope Francis in person was an "amazing experience," Phil told HuffPost. 

"You feel the energy in the arena when they cheer for him," he said. "It's like going to your first concert."

Medha was touched by Pope Francis' message and his humility -- especially when he asked the audience to pray for him.

"I think I'll go for more Masses," she said. 

Phil agreed that he'd try to do the same.

 

Jacintha Aseervatham

Church of St. Rita's, Staten Island, New York

Jacintha and her family got seats on the higher tiers of Madison Square Garden. She said it was a good vantage point to look out onto the entire scene -- the choir in their white robes, the masses of faithful praying in unison, Francis in his green vestments spreading incense on the altar.

"I got goosebumps," Jacintha told HuffPost. 

She was challenged by Francis' message about the poor. She said she sees homeless people in train terminals during her commute from Staten Island. 

"Francis is saying that I can approach the homeless and help them, maybe cook for them and take care of them," Jacintha said.

 

Monica Mack-Krieg 

St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, Long Island, New York

Monica (right) came to Mass with a few of her friends. It moved her to see so many people of faith gathered together in one place, united by Francis' message of peace and kindness. 

After seeing Francis, she says she feels more strongly connected to her faith.

"What I'm taking away is more faith, more spirituality," she told HuffPost. "More belief that we're all good and that we can all work together." 

 

Aixa Moynihan

St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish, Garnerville, New York

Aixa works for a Catholic church in Rockland County. Seeing Francis lead Mass was an "amazing blessing," one that she thinks will inspire people to come closer to the church and to be more giving and humble. 

Aixa also hopes that the experience will encourage her to attend Mass on a more regular basis. 

"I want to live more of a Catholic life," she said. "To really live in my religion."

 

Eva Licona

Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church, Queens, New York

Eva (right) came to see the Mass with her daughter. She said she felt a great sense of love in her heart after seeing Pope Francis. She feels committed to taking that love home and showing it to her friends and family who didn't get the chance to be at Madison Square Garden.

"In the moment when the pope spoke, I fell more deeply in love with God," she said.

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