Pope Benedict XVI's whirlwind visit to New York City last spring, the first made by a pope since 1995, captivated the city and the world.

As Pope Benedict XVI touched down on American soil in Washington, D.C. on April 16, he was not only celebrating his first visit to the United States as pope, but his 81st birthday as well.

Then came the next leg of his journey – New York City. The pope’s airplane, “Shepherd One,” landed at John F. Kennedy Airport on April 18, where he was greeted by a cheering crowd, Edward Cardinal Egan of the New York archdiocese and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn archdiocese.

After the brief greeting, the pontiff was off to the United Nations, where he addressed the world body in French and English on a number of issues including human rights and the environment.

“Victims of violence and despair, whose rights are trampled with impunity, become easy prey to the call to violence and can then become violators of peace,” said Benedict.

Later, he became the first Roman Catholic pontiff to visit a Jewish place of worship in the United States as he spoke in the Upper East Side’s Park East Synagogue, stressing the need to build bridges between faiths.

Friday evening, Benedict presided over an ecumenical service at St. Joseph's Church in Yorkville. Leaders of several dominations traveled to the church, which was originally built by German immigrants.

The next day, the pope continued to make history as he celebrated mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. There, for the fourth time on the trip, he made public reference to the suffering caused by child-abusing priests.

"I join you in praying that this will be a time of purification for each and every particular church and the religious community, and a time for healing," said Benedict.

After mass, Fifth Avenue exploded with excitement as the popemobile made its way back to his East 72nd Street papal residence, but not before meeting the masses.

Later Saturday afternoon, during a slow walk down the aisle of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, the pope blessed dozens of disabled children who had waited hours to meet him.

Meantime, more than 25,000 young Christians enjoyed a rock concert as they waited for Benedict to attend their outdoor rally on the grounds of the seminary. When he arrived, they greeted him with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” in his native German.

In a moving speech, the pope spoke of his own youth in Nazi Germany.

On the final leg of his American journey, Pope Benedict blessed the World Trade Center site, praying and comforting families of victims.

The pope's final event took place at baseball's cathedral, Yankee Stadium. On a cool Sunday afternoon, Benedict celebrated the largest public event of his tour - mass before 60,000 people.

He will be the last pope to celebrate mass in the iconic stadium, but the spiritual memory will remain.