Archbishop Timothy Dolan will celebrate his first Mass Wednesday as archbishop of New York.

Dolan arrived in New York Sunday night and plans to spend his first days unpacking and preparing for Wednesday. The Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.

Before the Mass, there will be a procession of cardinals, bishops and Catholic groups. Cardinal Edward Egan will then listen to Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the papal ambassador to the United States, read a letter from Pope Benedict XVI appointing Dolan to the position.

Before Dolan delivers Mass and a homily, heads of the Catholic Dioceses of New York and representatives from Christian and non-Christian faiths will greet him. Sister Rosa Valadez, of the Bronx, will read from the Acts of the Apostles at the event.