Cardinal Timothy Dolan speaks to a man who just received...

Cardinal Timothy Dolan speaks to a man who just received bread at the St. Francis of Assisi food pantry in Manhattan on Ash Wednesday. (Feb. 22, 2012) Credit: Craig Ruttle

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan has a busy schedule on his first full day back from Rome where he was elevated to cardinal.

Dolan began his day early Wednesday at a Roman Catholic church in Manhattan where he distributed bags of food to the hungry.

Later in the day he will participate in Ash Wednesday celebrations, leading a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent.

Dolan was among 22 Catholic churchmen who were elevated to cardinal Saturday by Pope Benedict XVI ((the 16th).

Cardinals are the pope's top advisers. They are the elite group of churchmen who will eventually elect Benedict's successor.

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