Cardinal Dolan Prays for Pope Francis in Rome, Discusses Conclave

Prayer for Pope Francis

• 🕯️ Cardinal Dolan offered prayers for the late Pope Francis at the historic Trinitad de Monty Church in Rome.
• 😔 He expressed that the initial reaction is to mourn and thank God for the gift of Pope Francis, asking for mercy for his soul.

Preparing for the Conclave

• 🕊️ Cardinal Dolan is praying for the Holy Spirit to guide him in getting to know his fellow Cardinals better.
• 🗓️ He attended the general congregation, pre-conclave meetings where the cardinals plan upcoming ceremonies.
• 🗳️ As one of only 27 electors with conclave experience from 2013, he is a seasoned participant.

Papal Succession and Periphery Appointments

• 🌍 Pope Francis appointed cardinals from the "periphery," including from Iraq and Sweden, while major Catholic centers like Los Angeles and Paris do not have cardinals.
• ❓ The makeup of the upcoming conclave is noted as being unlike any other in history.

Cardinal Dolan's Papal Prospects

• 😂 When asked about his chances of becoming pope, Cardinal Dolan deflects with his trademark humor, stating he must have slept through receiving votes in 2013.
• 🎤 He handles questions about his potential papacy by making a joke and moving on.