It's been a big weekend for now Cardinal Timothy Dolan after he was elevated to Cardinal on Saturday in Vatican City. Cardinal Dolan spent Sunday at a mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Our Tara Lynn Wagner has reaction from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City where Dolan presides over.

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NEW YORK CITY -- Saturday's ceremony in Rome was all the talk Sunday morning at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

“I think it's a wonderful thing. I think he's such a leader for the community of New York and the greater united states. To be a leader of so many Catholics here. It's a wonderful thing.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan was one of two Americans to be elevated to Cardinal. For American Catholics, it's a welcome change to be so strongly represented among the church's elite.

“It’s always important that the world church, the Catholic church recognizes how important the American Catholic church is and specifically archbishop now Cardinal Dolan in the leadership that he has taken recently as president of the bishop's counsel. So I think it's very important to us.”

During his three years as Archbishop of New York, Dolan has made an impression on the congregation. Members see him as a man close to both God and to the people.

“He's great, great guy. he's a down to earth guy and he relates to the people well.”

They also see him as the face of the future, perfectly suited to help shape the church in the years ahead.

“I think he will bring a different perspective to it, one that will be contemporary but with a flair of traditional to it, so I'm looking forward to it. well deserved.”

And while the pomp and circumstance of the occasion was impressive.

“Just the color, the spectacle of it all. It was beautiful.”

What seemed to strike people most was Dolan's rapport with the pontiff.

“I loved his smile when he went up to receive his hat and the pope was smiling too so I think they are both pleased with this elevation.”

“He told a few jokes to the pope which went over well and he's a people person, very outgoing. He should be perfect for here and maybe as the next pope, who knows.”

And New Yorkers will have several chances to see the cardinal in his new vestments this week. He'll be presiding over an ash Wednesday service as well as a special prayer service being held this Saturday.