Central Park Hosts Religious Rally

Former New York Yankee star Mariano Rivera joined well-known evangelical figures and entertainers Saturday for a Christian religious rally in Central Park.

Organizers estimated tens of thousands of the faithful attended the evening revival on the park's Great Lawn.

Rivera joined entertainers Mandisa, Marcos Witt, Matt Redman and Hezekiah Walker at the rally called NY CityFest.

Eighty-year-old Luis Palau, a native of Argentina who's been dubbed the "Latino Billy Graham," led the rally.

The event was live-streamed internationally on the Internet.

More than 1,200 Christian churches of various denominations from the New York area participated in the event.

Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the gathering and joined organizers in a song.

"You couldn’t help but be moved by looking at a crowd of people from around the world," de Blasio said later. "I appreciate people who participate because they care so much, and also knowing that they intend to take that spirit back to neighborhoods and help their communities and help others." 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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