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Local Nun Thrilled To Win Ticket To St. Patrick's Cathedral Service With Pope Francis

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Pope Francis will hold a prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday evening and among the religious community privileged to attend is a native New Yorker.

Sister Joan Martin told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa she is thrilled with Pope Francis' message.

"He is reaching out to the immigrants, to women, to children, to the wounded, the wounded in spirit," she said.

Local Nun Thrilled To Win Ticket To St. Patrick's Cathedral Service With Pope Francis

Martin led St. Agnes High School in Queens for many years and she said the pope is also educating in the lessons in mercy and compassion.

"I think it's making a significant difference in people's lives," she said. "I know of no one, personally, who cannot relate with his humanity."

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Martin called the enthusiasm for Pope Francis' arrival in the U.S. unprecedented, and said she's encouraged that so many, including non-Catholics, want to see the pope.

Martin won her ticket to the prayer service via the lottery, something she said was harder to secure than tickets to the Yankees and Mets.

To see a complete schedule of the pope's upcoming visit, click here.

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