Mayor Eric Adams, who talks typically about his religion, acknowledged on Saturday that he had felt some uncertainty — if not anxiousness — about assembly Pope Francis.
However on the Vatican, as Mr. Adams stooped earlier than the pope, he felt any disquiet he had wash away. Pope Francis positioned his hand on the mayor’s proper arm. Then, the 2 shook arms.
“I believe that some folks have a degree of aura and power and the power to simply calm folks,” mentioned Mr. Adams, who’s Christian however not Catholic. “I believe that’s what he possessed. In my prayers, I thank God for having the chance this morning.”
The assembly got here on the second day of a three-day journey to Italy for Mr. Adams, who mentioned he’s attempting to higher perceive the worldwide conflicts that contact New York. The go to got here because the mayor, who’s up for re-election subsequent 12 months, faces difficulties in New York Metropolis, together with lagging ballot numbers and a federal investigation into his marketing campaign fund-raising.
There was no particular agenda for the assembly between the mayor and the pope, which got here because the pope met with individuals of a convention about peace. However after the assembly, Mr. Adams mentioned the 2 spoke about conflicts in Haiti, Africa and the Center East. They talked in regards to the Basis to Fight Anti-Semitism, a nonprofit created by Robert Kraft, the proprietor of the N.F.L.’s New England Patriots.
“He responded affirmatively and mentioned: ‘Eric, please pray for me as nicely,’” the mayor mentioned.
Mr. Adams and the pope took half within the World Assembly on Human Fraternity, a convention organized by the Fratelli Tutti Basis, which was based by Pope Francis, that introduced Nobel laureates and celebrities to Rome to advertise peace.
“Battle is a deception, as is the thought of worldwide safety primarily based on the deterrent of worry,” Pope Francis advised folks attending the convention, who gathered on the Vatican on Saturday. “Guaranteeing lasting peace requires a return to a recognition of frequent humanity and to put fraternity on the heart of peoples’ lives.”
Mr. Adams mentioned it was a “sacred second for me simply to have a chance to listen to from Pope Francis as he leads the world on a very powerful problems with our time, from the worldwide refugee disaster to local weather change, to the journey towards peace.”
The mayor typically speaks publicly about how his Christian faith informs the best way he governs. He has mentioned he does not believe in the separation of church and state and has described himself as a “prayer warrior.” He has even criticized the elimination of prayer in faculties.
On Saturday, the mayor made a number of stops in Rome. After the assembly, he confirmed up on the previously dilapidated Piazza di San Cosimato in a New York Knicks playoff hat and a black polo shirt. Then, he went to the World Assembly on Human Fraternity convention.
Mr. Adams toured the piazza with the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, to listen to in regards to the work of Rome Cures Rome, a civic affiliation that helps clear up the realm. The 2 mayors additionally painted over graffiti on a constructing there.
“Authorities can’t do all of it,” Mr. Adams mentioned as he painted, talking in favor of the position civic teams can play.
Mr. Adams has mentioned a part of his purpose on the journey is to learn to cope with New York’s issues from a metropolis like Rome. Each Mr. Gualtieri and Mr. Adams, in speeches earlier than the World Assembly on Human Fraternity on Saturday, emphasised the bonds between cities and the shared crises like homelessness and serving to migrants in search of asylum.
“The problems are mainly the identical,” Mr. Gualtieri advised the viewers.
Mr. Adams, addressing the gang on the piazza, mentioned that “New York is the Rome of America,” echoing a phrase he makes use of typically when describing different cities.
Earlier in his journey, Mr. Adams visited the Colosseum and noticed the development website of a Metro station there. He additionally toured the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.
Mr. Adams attended the closing ceremony of the convention on Saturday evening at St. Peter’s Basilica. On Sunday, Mr. Adams is predicted to tour a website that’s offering providers for migrants. He’ll return to New York Metropolis on Monday.
Mr. Adams’s celebration of the pope’s antiwar message provoked criticism from some in New York Metropolis, who say the mayor has not spoken out sufficient on ending Palestinian struggling throughout Israel’s warfare in Gaza.
“The response we want is a frontrunner who will present up for Israeli and Jewish communities and Palestinian and Muslim communities,” mentioned Shahana Hanif, a Muslim councilwoman from Brooklyn.
Mr. Adams mentioned folks have thanked him for his stance on Palestine and Israel.
“I’m snug in how I’ve taken a robust stance that kids and harmless folks shouldn’t die globally,” he mentioned. “I’m not the kind of individual that’s inconsistent in that message.”
Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting.