Cardinal Edward Egan, who retired as archbishop of New York in 2009, has died of cardiac arrest aged 82.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York told Catholics of the archdiocese he was saddened to tell them "our beloved" Cardinal Egan "has gone home to the Lord."
"Join me, please, in thanking God for his life, especially his generous and faithful priesthood. Pray as well that the powerful mercy of Jesus, in which our cardinal had such trust, has ushered him into heaven," said Cardinal Dolan, who succeeded Cardinal Egan.
A former auxiliary bishop of New York, then-Bishop Egan was named to head the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1988 and was appointed as archbishop of New York in 2000. He was named a cardinal in 2001.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement that Cardinal Egan "spread love and knowledge, and brought comfort to countless New Yorkers and others across the country and the world who sought his guidance and counsel - especially in the aftermath of 9/11."
After the terrorist attacks brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani called on the cardinal for his spiritual help. Cardinal Egan anointed the dead and distributed rosaries to workers. He also celebrated many funeral Masses for those who perished in the attacks or died trying to help people amid the rubble.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also recalled the cardinal's "thoughtful and compassionate stewardship" in helping New Yorkers "grieve and recover" following the events 9/11.
A funeral Mass for Cardinal Egan is to be celebrated on 10 March at St Patrick's Cathedral.
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