American cardinals relieved after conclave

March 14, 2013

Two American cardinals told reporters that they were relieved but not surprised that they were not chosen by this week’s papal conclave.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York had said before the conclave that anyone who thought of him as a likely candidate for the papacy must be smoking marijuana. Although his name was frequently mentioned by analysts as the cardinals entered the conclave, the boisterous prelate from New York never changed his tone. After the elect of Pope Francis, he said: “I’d like to say this, especially to the New York press: ‘I told ya so!’”

Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who rose quickly to prominence among Vatican-watchers in the days just before the conclave, had a quieter reaction to the result. Cardinal O’Malley said that he was happy not to be facing the life of a Roman Pontiff. “He’s a prisoner in a museum,” he said.

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Dolan To N.Y. Press On Not Being Voted Pope: ‘I Told Ya So!’ (CBS)
• Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley says he will be happy to return, papal lifestyle not for him (Boston Globe)