Madison Square Garden is known for hosting major concerts and sporting events, but the Pope will take center stage this week.

And Father Bernard Tracey will have a front row seat. He's one of the one thousand priests who will attend Mass with Pope Francis.

"In one sense it's an honor because it's not that often you get to see the Pope and sort of celebrate Mass with him is really a special honor for all of us," said Father Tracey.

Father Tracey is the Executive Vice President for Mission at St. John's University. This is the second time he'll be celebrating Mass with a sitting Pope. The first was with Pope John Paul the second.

"In the presence of the Pope is being in the presence of Christ. He's the visible head of the church and so it's very important to us to be there with him," he said.

Father Tracey has been a priest for 41 years. He says the university is in tune with the Pope mission because their motto is to serve the poor.

Adds Father Tracey, "I just think that this Pope is through his actions is changing the world. He speaks not just with words but also speaks with the way he lives his life. And that's why I think he's challenging us who are priests to do the same."

Father Tracey hopes his actions also resonate with the students at St. Johns. Five of them will attend the Mass. Others will watch from the school's sanctuary.  

Father Tracey says both Catholics and non-Catholics can take something away from Pope Francis' message of service and inclusion.

"No matter what status we have in society but we are all one and the more that we can express that oneness we will be expressing what Francis wants us to do," Tracey summarized.