Following a mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City Saturday, Pope Benedict will take part in a youth rally. Several local teens have made that trip to see the Pontiff.

About a dozen youth from Oneida County joined by several others from the Syracuse area, and were in New York City on Friday attending a pre-youth rally. However it's tomorrows big event, with Pope Benedict they say they are looking forward to.

Friday morning, several dozen area teens boarded a bus that will take them to New York City, to see the man who is the leader of their religious faith

"At first it really didn't faze me," said Mary-Clare Stokes, who is attending the rally. "'Clare, you're going to see the pope,' 'Oh that's great.' Then a week later I thought to myself 'I'm going to see the Pope!'"

With a bus full of about 50 teens ready to meet up with another 20,000 in New York, everyone has their own reason for making the trip.

"Because it's the biggest honor you could possibly have," said Damian Curreri. "It's like even better than meeting the president...no offense president."

"Just to hopefully see him up close and be in the presence of the Pope, to know that he is the one that God has chosen to lead his Christian people," began Dona Jones. "My goal is to meet new people, experience part of my faith, and if I'm really really lucky, I'll get a really good view of the Pope."

Pope Benedict says the reason for his trip to the U.S. is to bring hope. But for these teens, just being able to see him this close, is more than enough hope.

"I'm so excited that that many kids believe in God as much as I do," Jones said. "And that they want see the Pope and want to hear what he has to say."

"Everyone wants to do this kind of thing," said Stokes. "The people who are really deep in their faith. They want to go be part of the church and gather this way and I'm so blessed to be able to be a part...to do this."