New Exhibit Commemorates Pope Francis's Visit To Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Madison Square Garden, a world-famous arena that has played host to countless memorable moments, is now home to a special exhibit commemorating Pope Francis's historic visit last September.

A reflective yet ebullient Cardinal Timothy Dolan was on hand for the opening of the exhibit, CBS2's Scott Rapoport reports.

Pope Francis delivered a poignant, powerful mass before 20,000 people in a once-in-a-generation, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime, religious moment for many.

"I hear stories about people who stood in line for six hours who say they didn't even mind it," Dolan said.

Click here to view a full transcript of the holy mass.

Artifacts, images and mementos from that mass have been curated into the exhibit on the sixth floor of the concourse for all to see.

Visitors will find the official liturgy book, a prayer card, a schematic design of the Pope's chair, and a ciborium, which carries the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the body and blood of Christ.

Click here to view photos from the holy mass.

The exhibit is now part of the arena's "Defining Moments" historical displays, which also features Pope John Paul II's momentous mass at Madison Square Garden in 1979.

"Still people are sharing with me how the visit of the Holy Father was a defining moment," Dolan said.

Officials at Madison Square Garden say the exhibit will be a permanent fixture at the arena.