Thousands of Catholics gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass and mark the beginning of the 2026 Holy Week, the first under Archbishop Ronald Hicks. Palms inside the cathedral symbolize Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where crowds laid palm branches before him. Hicks, who took office in February after Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s retirement, found solace in celebrating his first Palm Sunday on Fifth Avenue. He emphasized the transformative message of Holy Week, calling it the path to salvation and eternal life.
Palms signify the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem. CBS News New York
Hicks highlighted that the message of Jesus, advocating for peace and love for others, could offer guidance to people of all beliefs amid the ongoing turmoil both domestically and internationally. Parishioners resonated deeply with the message of peace, especially during challenging personal and political times.
“It was a nice way to just kind of reflect and regain hope during a really difficult time, personally, but then it’s exacerbated by everything that’s going on politically, as well. So, I think we need it,” said Ashley Pallathra from Philadelphia.
Hicks expressed his hope for everyone to embrace peace and spread it worldwide, stating, “My hope for everyone is that we take a little piece of [Holy Week] and we bring it to our world because our world is hungry, is crying for that peace and that hope that comes from God.”
