From the world stage of the United Nations to an inner-city school, Pope Francis is emphasising themes that have shaped his popular papacy as he packs in encounters with the powerful and the poor in New York City.
His agenda for Friday reflected both his global stature and his of-the-people approach, while taking him from the solemnity of ground zero to the struggles of East Harlem.
It includes events as large as a processional drive through Central Park, as
personal as meeting
schoolchildren and immigrants, and as inspiring for the faithful as Mass for thousands in the Madison Square Garden arena.
Francis, who yesterday became the first pope to address a joint session of the US Congress, is now set to speak to world leaders gathered for a UN General Assembly summit to adopt new global goals to fight poverty and preserve the environment.
The Vatican has said Francis is expected to discuss the need for peace, the plight of refugees and the role of poverty and bad Government in driving conflict and migration.
But inequality, poverty, the environment and religious persecution may also be among the issues he highlights for the international audience.