Pope Francis mania was in full swing Friday and street vendors were reaping the worldly benefit.
From Madison Square Garden down 34th Street to Herald Square alone, street vendors were hawking everything from papal pins and shirts to pope pendants on holy hemp necklaces.
“It’s the hottest show in town,” said Diana Nikci, 32, as she splurged on a papal flag, pin and T-shirt. “This pope is preaching something our generation and the kids to come need to hear. His message is universal and one that we need more than ever.”
Other pope swag included hats, calendars, flags and key chains.
“We’ve been selling them all over — Times Square, Central Park. Business has been crazy,” said Keaton Weiss, 28, who was selling 10 different varieties of buttons including “I ♥️♥ Pope Francis” and a play on Shepard Fairey’s Obama “HOPE” image, but with the word “POPE.”