Pope Benedict tipped his miter to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral — bestowing basilica status on the famed Little Italy church.
With a rich history in the city going back to the nativist riots of the early 19th century, the downtown church is perhaps best known for its role during the pivotal baptism scene in “The Godfather.”
“Now the holy father is its godfather,” Archbishop Timothy Dolan told The Post yesterday after reading a papal proclamation designating the 1815 church a basilica.
“It is a sign of affirmation by the pope,” Dolan said of the designation. “It’s kind of like a big universal ‘attaboy.’ ”
When Dolan became archbishop in 2009, he said one of his first orders of business was to seek the special honor for the downtown church.
When he approached higher-ups at the Vatican, “they said it would be a slam dunk,” Dolan said.
At yesterday’s ceremony, which included a special umbrella and bell that are the marks of a basilica, Monsignor Donald Sakano said he was thrilled by the honor.
“It’s really about our past but also about our future. We have a magnificent past that goes back 200 years,” he said. “In 1809, when the cornerstone was laid, this was the cathedral for the city of New York.”
Although Brooklyn has a basilica, it was troubling to Dolan that Manhattan did not, Sakano said.
“Archbishop Dolan came to New York and he said, ‘Where’s my basilica?’ ”
Parishioners who have shared many of life’s milestones at the church over the years, said they were pleased “Old St. Pat’s” — as many call it — was getting its due.
“I was married in this church and both of my children were baptized here,” said Josephine Mahaney, 61, of Staten Island. “It was exciting for it to become a basilica. It’s the recognition of the history of the church.”