The Holy Father and Card. Dolan’s mother. Fun.

Where does Card. Dolan get that gift of glib gab? I’m guessing it was from his mother.

During an audience in Rome, Card. Dolan was able to present his mother to the Pope.

According to the NY Post, the Holy Father, ever the gentleman, had a brief exchange with Mrs. Dolan.

Dolan recounted that the pope, who turns 85 in April, then paid his mom the ultimate compliment, telling her, “You look too young to be the mother of a cardinal.”

The cardinal said his mom — showing that a quick wit is a family trait — shot back, “Holy Father, was that an infallible statement?”

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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18 Comments

  1. pm125 says:

    What a nice and happy family picture.

  2. Vincenzo says:

    “Holy Father, was that an infallible statement?”
    Haha

  3. Clinton says:

    Charming.

  4. Supertradmum says:

    How wonderful. Sigh…I love Pope Benedict so much, to meet him would be such a thrill. And, what a good son is the Cardinal t0 bring his mum to Rome.

  5. Nicole says:

    The Holy Father’s reply: “Does the statement meet the requirements defined in the First Vatican Council for the infallible magisterium of the Roman Pontiff?” :P

  6. APX says:

    “Holy Father, was that an infallible statement

    Hehe! Witty elderly people are amusing.

  7. DisturbedMary says:

    Too cool. I wonder if she plays the piano.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI-l0tK8Ok0&feature=related

  8. Andy Milam says:

    @ Supertradmum….

    Just like Archbishop Fermoyle in “The Cardinal.”

    Fr. Z will understand that 100%….

    The second greatest Catholic movie of all time in my book….right behind “The Bells of St. Mary’s.”

    Ahhhh….hear they ARE calling!!!!

  9. Liz says:

    She’s darling!

  10. irishgirl says:

    What a cute picture–and what a quick response from Cardinal Dolan’s mom! I love it!
    @ Supertradmum-Like you, I would love to meet the Holy Father ‘in person’ as well; but I would not have the quick wit of ‘Mom Dolan’.
    I would either be tongue-tied, or else have a bad case of ‘open mouth, insert foot’ and say something banal, stupid or embarrassing….

  11. Supertradmum says:

    irishgirl, I would just kiss his ring and be in silent bliss.

  12. heway says:

    As an aside, Cardinal Dolan said that when he informed his mother of his upcoming advancement to cardinalate, she responded with'”It’s about time!”….no doubt that is were “Tim” Dolan gets his quick wit!

  13. irishgirl says:

    Supertradmum, yes, I think that would be an occasion where ‘silence is golden’.
    But I sure would love to go to Rome this coming October for the canonizations of Blessed Mother Marianne Cope (grew up in my Upstate NY hometown) and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (born and grew up an hour’s drive away). Only way I could do it would be to hit the lottery…..!

  14. Supertradmum says:

    irishgirl, Wish I could help. If I find the pot at the end of the rainbow here in Eire, I shall pay your way. Do not hold your breath, however….

  15. Denita says:

    I love this. I agree with whoever said he got his sense of humor from her. :D

  16. Charivari Rob says:

    “Holy Father, was that an infallible statement?”

    Brilliant!

  17. Warmiaczka says:

    I think if it’s an adaptation of Abp Fulton Sheen anecdote. Look, Cardinal Dolan even quoted it here: http://blog.archny.org/?p=177
    [quote]:
    It was a damp winter day in 1973 when I was walking through St. Peter’s Square, then a seminarian at the North American College, only to see a small but excited crowd near the obelisk. Over I went only to see in the middle of the dozens of excited people himself, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Among the handshakes, flashbulbs, and autographs, someone shouted,

    “What are you doing in Rome, Archbishop Sheen?”

    “I just came from an audience with Pope Paul VI,” he replied.

    “What did the Holy Father say to you?” inquired another in the crowd.

    Archbishop Sheen blushed a bit and replied, “The Holy Father looked at me, took my hand, and said, ‘Fulton Sheen, you will have a high place in heaven’.”

    “What did you say back?” pestered another.

    “Well” responded our man with that familiar sparkle and grin,” I replied, ‘Your Holiness, would you mind making that an infallible statement?’”

  18. Kelvin Dock says:

    While we’re on the subject of wise-cracking with the Pope, the Belfast-born comedian Frank Carson died this week.

    From a recent Daily Telegraph tribute:

    “For appearing in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and donating huge sums to charity, Carson met the Pope, who made him a Knight of the Order of St Gregory. The Pope asked Carson if he’d ever met Elvis. “No, but it won’t be long now,” he replied.”

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