Worshippers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan are reflecting before Christmas, the holiest day of the Christian calendar. And while for some, it is an exciting time, it is also a time of self-reflection.

As global conflicts continue thousands of miles from New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, is promoting a message of peace.

“As we anticipate Christmas, our hearts always go to the Holy Land. And the Holy Land is under a cloud. The Holy Land is suffering. The Holy Land is filled with violence and hatred and retribution,” Dolan said. “And this dulls and threatens to suffocate the joy of Christmas.”

Christian worshippers NY1 spoke with Sunday morning opened up about what they are praying for this year.

“Just for people to have compassion and understand that because someone is not like you, doesn’t mean they’re any different than you — we are all people,” Rebecca Simone said.

Simone, who came to St. Patrick’s Cathedral with her young son, said she wants to teach him about kindness this holiday season.

Jehan Bassenden, who is from Iowa and is visiting the church for the first time with her family, is praying for the peace of the entire world.

“And of course, this the greatest day to celebrate, you know, the Christianity tradition,” Bassenden said. “It is such a blessing for me to be here, with the whole family, the kids, to be able to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the Mass.”

Beyond just the excitement of exchanging gifts or spending time with family, many people are thinking about the Middle East this holiday season.

“If the leaders fight, the kids have nothing to do with it. They’re innocent,” Roro Mad said. “I wish they stop the war. I don’t want to go beyond that. I wish for peace. That’s all.”

This is Dolan’s 15th Christmas at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He just recently recovered from COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

He told NY1 that he looks forward to this year’s midnight Mass, and appreciates seeing people from all over the world.