A publicity stunt featuring a life-size wax figure of Pope Francis appearing to wave from the back of a convertible caused some confusion before the real pontiff showed up in New York City.

Pope Francis arrived here amid throngs of cheering, flag-waving fans for a historic visit to the Big Apple.

“WE SELL POPE DOLLS,” blared a sign held up by a 7-Eleven worker on 42nd Street in Manhattan, directing customers to a store down the block. There, on an outdoor stand, were six plushy, squeezable popes, nestled rather incongruously among individually wrapped croissants and chocolate chip muffins.

The Holy See Press Office has released the entire original version of the text of Pope Francis' speech to the joint session of the United States Congress and thousands of the faithful outside of the Capitol Complex.

Pope Francis told Congress on Thursday that the United States should reject hostility to immigrants and treat them humanely, directly addressing a thorny subject that is dividing the country and stirring debate in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Regional carrier LIAT has appointed Captain Arthur Senhouse as director flight operations (DFO) effective September 1, 2015, with responsibility for all aspects of the airline’s flight operations.

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