Mayor Eric Adams, who talks typically about his religion, acknowledged on Saturday that he had felt some uncertainty — if not nervousness — 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 fingers.
“I feel that some individuals have a stage of aura and vitality and the flexibility to simply calm individuals,” mentioned Mr. Adams, who’s Christian however not Catholic. “I feel 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 raised perceive the worldwide conflicts that contact New York. The go to got here because the mayor, who’s up for re-election subsequent yr, 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 properly,’” 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.
“Struggle is a deception, as is the thought of worldwide safety primarily based on the deterrent of concern,” Pope Francis instructed individuals 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 crucial 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 religion informs the best way he governs. He has mentioned he doesn’t imagine within the separation of church and state and has described himself as a “prayer warrior.” He has even criticized the elimination of prayer in colleges.
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 world. 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 function civic teams can play.
Mr. Adams has mentioned a part of his objective on the journey is to learn to take care of 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 searching for asylum.
“The problems are principally the identical,” Mr. Gualtieri instructed the viewers.
Mr. Adams, addressing the group 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 web site 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 night time at St. Peter’s Basilica. On Sunday, Mr. Adams is anticipated to tour a web site that’s offering companies 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 struggle in Gaza.
“The response we’d like 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 individuals have thanked him for his stance on Palestine and Israel.
“I’m snug in how I’ve taken a powerful stance that youngsters and harmless individuals mustn’t die globally,” he mentioned. “I’m not the kind of particular person that’s inconsistent in that message.”
Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting.