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VIDEO: New York Celebs Offer Welcome Messages for Pope Francis

By Trevor Kapp | July 28, 2015 3:49pm

A who’s who of New York actors, TV personalities and elected officials are saying salve to Pope Francis ahead of his visit to the city in September.

"Late Show" host Stephen Colbert, actress Whoopi Goldberg, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams are among the scores of New Yorkers who have recorded messages for the pontiff on the nonprofit site Charityhasnoboundaries.org.

“We’re here to welcome you, Pope Francis, because we love what you stand for, we love what you’re talking about,” Goldberg says.

“Welcome, Pope Francis, to New York City,” Adams adds. “You are always welcome here, in the borough of Brooklyn, where we are proud of our Catholic population and the countless others who show concern and care for the less fortunate among us.”

All of the messages contain these words from the Gospel of Matthew: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…"

DNAinfo New York first reported that NYPD Commissioner Bill Brattion had recorded a welcome message to the pope. Among the other New Yorkers to deliver messages are City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, singer Harry Belafonte and Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Golden.

The pope’s New York visit is scheduled for Sept. 24-26. While here, he is expected to lead evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, visit the United Nations and lead mass at Madison Square Garden