Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, led the «Region II» bishops of the United States on their November 15, 2019, “ad Limina Apostolorum” visit with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
In his November 6 weekly column ahead of the visit, Cardinal Dolan said he was a «little bit nervous…Next week I’m being called into the principal’s office!» But there is nothing being said in the Vatican that suggests the Cardinal got a detention during today’s gathering.
«By canon (church) law, we prelates are obliged to visit Rome every five years to give a report on our leadership,» Cardinal Dolan explained. «We call it the ad limina, Latin for ‘to the edge’ as we first go “to the edge” of the tombs of the apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, to pray the Creed, offer Mass, and renew our promises as successors of the apostles.
«Then, all week, we visit each of the offices of the Holy See: Catholic education, charity, clergy, religious, bishops, Doctrine of the Faith, ecumenism, protection of young people, the secretary of state, and, finally, the Successor of St. Peter himself, Pope Francis.»
Cardinal Dolan called the visit a «a time of prayer, reflection, accountability, and renewal.» However, he confessed to hoping for the opportunity to «get a good bowl of pasta at one of my old favorites.»
