The Houston Chronicle will be following and blogging Cardinal-to-be DiNardo this week:

The Cardinal-designate is keeping a fairly low profile with the expanding group of Houston media here in Rome, which is completely understandable considering his hectic schedule. He has graciously agreed to a daily media availability of around 10-15 minutes. DiNardo stopped by for today’s rendezvous while walking between meetings. The spot he chose was across the street from St. Peter’s.

Highlights included him taping a Thanksgiving message for the folks back home in Houston and an autograph seeking by-stander who kept kissing DiNardo’s hand.
Father Lou Vallone accompanied him on his walk. The pair are childhood friends from Pittsburgh who went to a Jesuit high school together. I didn’t get to talk with Fr. Vallone for very long, but he seems like a pretty cool cat. You don’t meet many priests strolling around Rome wearing a Harley-Davidson sweater over their collar like Vallone.