Huge Crowd Greeted Pope Francis at East Harlem School

A massive crowd of excited kids waving yellow ribbons greeted Pope Francis outside the East Harlem school he visited Friday afternoon.

The exuberant students clamored for the smiling Pope's attention, who spent seven minutes laughing and touching hands with them as they took endless cell phone pictures.

Accompanied by a bevy of Catholic charity officials and local politicians, the pope entered the school as kids sang "When the Saints Go Marching In," although they changed the words for his final steps to "When the pope goes marching in."

Nearly two dozen schoolchildren waited inside to show him their science projects, most of which were about the environment and climate change -- one of several causes dear to Pope Francis.

Many addressed him in his native Spanish, others in English, as he moved through the room, taking time with each student.

He also stopped for a moment to give a blessing to New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, to shake hands with Dante DeBlasio and exchange a few words in Spanish with City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito.

Before he began his prepared remarks, he got a welcome from some soccer team members who put on a brief display for him. Then a group of immigrant construction workers gifted him with a hard hat.

Pope Francis, whose progressive views have captured the world’s attention, plans to offer a special blessing in East Harlem to refugees and immigrants — including those living here illegally.