Dolan gave a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis following the reading of the Gospel at Easter Monday's morning Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, referencing the Easter story of when women discovered the empty tomb of Jesus.

During his homily, Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, said individuals and the church must follow in the footsteps of the pontiff, who was known as the “good shepherd" and the “people’s pope.