During the Easter Vigil at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Saturday evening, protesters made their presence known by chanting in support of Palestine.
Thousands of climate and pro-Palestinian protesters converged in Times Square over the weekend, demanding a lasting cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. In a surprising turn of events, the protesters made their way into St. Patrick’s Cathedral during Saturday night’s Easter Vigil, as captured in videos shared on social media.
The protesters chanted, “Free, free Palestine,” as they held a banner that boldly proclaimed, “SILENCE=DEATH.” The powerful sign showcased the Extinction Rebellion symbol alongside an olive tree, symbolizing peace and resilience.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, led the mass. Cathedral members swiftly intervened to remove the protesters from the service, while other attendees chose to disregard the disruptions.
Here’s a glimpse of their interaction:
NEW: Pro-Palestine protesters take over Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
“Free, free Palestine” chants began going off during the second reading.
Protesters rushed to the front and held up a banner that read: ‘SILENCE = DEATH’
The protesters were… pic.twitter.com/85gaxnGDGA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 31, 2024
During Sunday morning Mass on Easter, Pope Francis addressed tens of thousands of worshippers outside the Vatican, passionately calling for peace in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.
The Pope expressed his thoughts and concerns for the victims of various conflicts around the world. He specifically mentioned the conflicts in Israel and Palestine, as well as Ukraine. He appealed to the risen Christ to bring a path of peace to the people affected by these wars. The Pope also called for the respect of international law and expressed his hope for a comprehensive prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of this action for the well-being of all involved.