Obama Calls Dolan

(photo: CNS)

President Barack Obama called Archbishop Timothy Dolan yesterday to congratulate him on his appointment as the new archbishop of New York.

Archbishop Dolan responded by inviting Obama to his April 15 installation at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Associated Press reported that Archbishop Dolan fielded the presidential phone call while visiting the archdiocesan St. Joseph’s Seminary with Cardinal Edward Egan of New York.

Archbishop Dolan said he initially thought his brother was playing a joke by calling and pretending to be Obama.

Archbishop Dolan said the president was “extraordinarily gracious” during their conversation and told him, “I assure you of my prayers.”