Cardinal Dolan greets faithful upon return to St. Patrick's Cathedral

It's a holy homecoming!

Cardinal Timothy Dolan received a bagpipe salute outside St. Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday after a nine-day trip to Rome, where he was elevated from archbishop.

"It's good to be home," Dolan, 62, reportedly told well-wishers on Madison Avenue.

After his triumphant return from the Vatican, where Pope Benedict XVI gave him a red hat and gold ring on Saturday, Dolan will give out breakfast Wednesday morning to the homeless at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street. He'll also preside over Ash Wednesday Mass at the church.

A bigger ceremony is planned for Saturday at St. Patrick's, where a Mass of Thanksgiving is expected to attract thousands.

"You know how much I love Rome, but you can't beat the good 'ole U.S.A," Dolan told reporters Tuesday.