WATCH: Cardinal visits Offaly nun days after Pope Leo conclave for incredible reason

A cardinal who took part in the Conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV last week has made a swift visit to Offaly for a very special reason. 

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is the Archbishop of New York, flew to Ireland especially to visit Sister Mary Bosco, a nun at St Joseph's Convent in Tullamore, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Cardinal Dolan posted a video of his meeting with Sister Mary Bosco on X and revealed the special reason for his flying visit.

"I’m in Tullamore, Ireland with my beloved Sister Mary Bosco! She’s 100 years old and she taught me when I was just a little boy. Choosing is always important for God – He chooses us! I thank God for Sister Bosco’s vocation, the call of Pope Leo, for St. Matthias, and for my parents, who chose to get married today in 1949. That’s choice in action! Thank God for calling us."

Cardinal Dolan actually revealed that his visit on Wednesday, May 14, coincided with his parents' wedding anniversary. 

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He further added: "I'm not in New York. I'm supposed to be in Rome with the new Holy Father but I flew over to Ireland. I'm in Tullamore, Ireland, and I'm talking real loud because I'm with my beloved Sister Mary Bosco who's here at the convent of St Joseph in Tullamore. I wanted to visit her, she's 100 years old.

"She taught me in grade school when I was just a little gossoon, a little boy."

At the end of the video, he asks Sister Mary Bosco if she wanted to sing or anything, and joked as she shakes her head, "thank God."

I’m in Tullamore, Ireland with my beloved Sister Mary Bosco! She’s 100 years old and she taught me when I was just a little boy. Choosing is always important for God – He chooses us! I thank God for Sister Bosco’s vocation, the call of Pope Leo, for St. Matthias, and for my… pic.twitter.com/RrKUk1hEOT

— Cardinal Dolan (@CardinalDolan) May 14, 2025

Born February 6, 1950, Cardinal Dolan was the first of five children born to Shirley and Robert Dolan. His education began at Holy Infant Parish School in Ballwin, Missouri, where he was taught by Sister Mary Bosco.

He was appointed Archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict in 2009 and later to the College of Cardinals in 2012. He took part in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013 and just last week the Conclave that saw his fellow American Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV.