New Yorkers gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and other churches across the city Sunday to mark Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.

The holiday commemorates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palm, handed out to congregants during services, symbolizes victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. The earliest recorded Palm Sunday celebration dates back to the 4th century.

What You Need To Know

  • Palm Sunday commemorates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem

  • The earliest recorded Palm Sunday celebration dates back to the 4th century

  • New Yorkers gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and other churches across the city to mark the start of Holy Week

  • At the Vatican, Pope Francis made a brief appearance for Palm Sunday Mass, his first public outing following a recent hospitalization

“This is the best church in New York City, so it’s a really good time to be here,” said Lawrence Stayton, a worshipper at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

At the cathedral’s first Mass of the day at 7 a.m., worshippers offered their prayers for the year.

“Peace. We need peace in this world, don’t we?” said Audrey Garr, a regular at St. Patrick’s.

“We always pray for peace, there’s plenty of that that needs to be spread around the world, so the more we pray about it, maybe the more we can bring it into life,” added Stayton.

Visitors from out of town also attended services at the iconic cathedral.

“It’s beautiful, the Mass is done in such a beautiful, beautiful way,” said Tony Stearn, who traveled from Florida with his wife, Zoila Stearn.

Zoila Stearn said the experience was deeply spiritual. “It’s very special, I think for me, like a miracle,” she said.

Yuliana Garcia, visiting from California, said it was her mother’s dream to attend Palm Sunday mass at St. Patrick’s. “St. Patrick’s has always been my mom’s dream to come to, especially to do mass on Palm Sunday here, she was super excited.”

At the Vatican, Pope Francis made a brief appearance for Palm Sunday Mass, his first public outing following a recent hospitalization. He spoke briefly at the end of the service to wish the crowd a Happy Palm Sunday.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York reacted to the pope’s appearance.

“That's good news as we start Holy Week. God give him strength. We need him,” said Dolan.

Garr echoed those thoughts. “I feel really good about it, you know he was in very very critical condition.”

Worshippers at St. Patrick’s said they were praying for the pope — and for one another.

“It was really great to see the Holy Father able to come out and greet the people,” said Stayton.

“Go through this year, you know with less chaos, less tragedies, and just the economy get better, blessings for everybody,” said Garcia.

"Start with the rise of Christ on Sunday, maybe the rise of New York," added Garr.

This year, Holy Week coincides with Passover, another sacred holiday observed by Jewish New Yorkers. Christians will continue Holy Week with observances on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, leading up to Easter Sunday.