NEW YORK - Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans Monday to honor Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini , shortly before marching in the Columbus Day Parade.
The governor made the surprise announcement as thousands of people descended on Fifth Avenue to celebrate Italian-American heritage.
But amid the celebration, a controversy was the talk of the parade.
"The controversy is over because the governor said he would help us put the statue wherever we want," said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio when asked if the city should build a statue to honor the saint.
Cuomo's announcement came days after his political rival - Mayor Bill de Blasio - found himself fending off criticism from fellow Italian-Americans upset the de Blasio administration had passed over Mother Cabrini in the effort to build more monuments to women.
"She Built NYC" was led by First Lady Chirlane McCray. Cabrini had received the most votes as part of a nominating contest.
Chazz Palminteri, perhaps best known for his role in the 1993 film A Bronx Tale called McCray a "racist" during a radio appearance, suggesting McCray had favored other statues over the Italian-American Immigrant patron saint.
"You know what, they wanted a statue. They asked for women who built New York, she helped build New York. Mother Cabrini started 67 charities, mother Cabrini is the first U.S. citizen male or female to be canonized a saint, Mother Cabrini deserves to be one of those women,” Palminteri said.
The actor has since apologized.
"You know what I was wrong, I used a word it came out like the first lady was a racist and that was wrong," he added.
But not before another radio spat, this time with Mayor de Blasio, who railed into Palminteri for his use of the word "racist." After his apology, the mayor committed to throwing his support behind Cabrini when the next round of monuments is announced.
Cuomo hadn’t played a role in the controversy until this weekend. On the parade route he would not say if his decision to erect the statue was political.
"I am less interested in how the situation started. I'm more interested in resolving it," he said.
But he sided with those who accused the mayor of not taking action quickly enough.
"Everyone has to feel respected and included and that they have a seat at the table and the Italian American community felt disrespected," he said.
The precise location for Mother Cabrini’s statue has not yet been determined, but the governor will appoint a commission to study that and other issues around the statue. He said the commission will be made up of prominent Italian-Americans.