A wax figure resembling Pope Francis paraded around New York City before his arrival and sparked confusion among residents.
Pope Francis has just touched down in New York City but some residents who are not privy to the Pontiff’s schedule thought they saw him riding in a convertible car on Thursday afternoon.
Read: New York City Beefs Up Security Ahead of Pope Francis' Arrival
What they saw was the Pope - but it wasn’t human nor divine. It was a wax figure which was part publicity stunt for Madame Tussauds.
The company drove the figure around Midtown hours before the Pope's arrival.
A bystander who thought it was the real Pope even snapped a photo and sent it to the NYPD.
Police investigated and learned that wasn’t the Pontiff, who was addressing Congress at the time the replica was seen.
No charges were filed and Madame Tussauds apologized to officers for not having a front license plate, according to reports. Not having a front plate is a state motor vehicle violation.
Eric Fluet, head of marketing and sales at Madame Tussauds, said in a statement: "The NYPD agreed that this was all in good fun as we celebrated Pope Francis' first trip to New York.
"The figure is a true testament to the artistry of Madame Tussauds and generated a lot of smiles and photo opportunities for several bystanders along the way."
The Pontiff’s trip to the Big Apple has become a security nightmare since the UN summit is also in town.
When he comes to the City that Never Sleeps, manhole covers will be sealed, while drones and selfie sticks are banned, and an eight-foot-tall steel mesh fence has been erected along the parade route to protect him.
Read: Pope Francis Gave This Little Girl a Hug and Kiss as He Paraded Through D.C.
Since he loves to get up close with the crowds, there could be concerning security conditions.
Former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow told INSIDE EDITION: "For him to fulfill his mission in expanding the church... inherently poses a massive security risk."
Watch Below: See the Selfies Fans are Snapping of The Pope
