L.A. Archbishop Holds 'Mass for Peace' Amid Student Protests

Archbishop José H. Gomez calls for unity as protesters gather blocks away from cathedral.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:47pm

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Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated a 'Mass for Peace' at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Wednesday, as students gathered nearby to protest the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

Why it matters

The Mass and protests highlight the ongoing tensions and divisions in the U.S. over immigration issues, with religious leaders like Archbishop Gomez seeking to promote unity and compassion, while activists continue to voice their opposition to the administration's actions.

The details

During the Mass, Archbishop Gomez stopped short of directly appealing to the Trump administration to scale back its immigration enforcement efforts, but he called for unity and emphasized the church's commitment to welcoming immigrants. The student protesters gathered blocks away from the cathedral, voicing their concerns about the impact of the administration's policies on immigrant communities.

  • The Mass was held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Archbishop José H. Gomez

The Archbishop of Los Angeles, who celebrated the 'Mass for Peace' at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Students

Protesters who gathered near the cathedral to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies.

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What they’re saying

“We are united with everybody in our country who wants peace, who wants justice, who wants to welcome the stranger.”

— Archbishop José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

The takeaway

The Mass and protests highlight the ongoing tensions and divisions in the U.S. over immigration issues, with religious leaders seeking to promote unity and compassion, while activists continue to voice their opposition to the administration's actions.