NEW YORK--Choruses of “Alleluia” accompanied the beat of tambourines, drums and guitars as thousands of people lined Fifth Avenue to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI April 17.

Waving from the popemobile, the Holy Father traveled 22 blocks in the early afternoon to the residence of the Vatican's U.N. nuncio from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he had presided at a Mass that morning for 3,000 clergy and religious.

Joe and Tammie Shank of Toledo St. Thomas Aquinas greet the pope on Fifth Avenue as he passes by in the popemobile April 17 in New York City.

Some people arrived as early as 6 a.m. to capture the best spots along the route, and the crowd eventually grew to be about 10 people deep.

They pressed closer to the barricades along the street and their chants of “Benedetto!” swelled at the first glimpse of the flashing lights in the motorcade proceeding up Fifth Avenue. Hoisting pendants, American and Vatican flags and cameras into the air, they cheered for Pope Benedict as he passed.

Joe and Tammie Shank of Toledo St. Thomas Aquinas arrived about two hours before the procession began and were able to find a spot close to the barricade in front of Central Park. The couple had tickets to attend Mass at Yankee Stadium the following day, and the trip was the first time either one had the opportunity to see the pope.

Mr. Shank said they simply wanted to be close to the successor of St. Peter.

“We’re here to support his presence in the United States,” he explained, adding that he hoped that presence would bring Catholics and all people in the country closer to Christ.

“I just feel honored to see him, and to be in his presence,” added Mrs. Shank.