Morning Catholic must-reads: 28/02/13

Pope Benedict XVI promised to show “unconditional reverence and obedience” towards his successor when he greeted members of the College of Cardinals this morning (full text of Cardinal Sodano’s address, video).

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri has written to bishops around the world, asking them to support the annual Good Friday collection for the Church in the Holy Land.

The Catholic News Service reports that the average age of the 117 eligible cardinal-electors is 71 years and 11 months.

Alan Dershowitz has clashed with Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League over whether Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga would make a suitable pope.

Kevin Clarke wonders if relations between Cardinal Timothy Dolan and US President Barack Obama are suddenly warming up.

Fr Tom Washburn OFM argues that “Pope Benedict has a Franciscan heart” and may have been inspired to resign by St Francis of Assisi.

And Timothy O’Malley, director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, offers a playlist for the papal transition.

Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.