The newly elected Pope Francis joked with cardinals over dinner telling them he hopes God forgives them for having chosen him, reports the Catholic News Agency.

“When the Secretary of State toasted to him, he toasted back to us and said ‘I hope God forgives you,’” Cardinal Timothy Dolan recalled at the Pontifical North American College.

“He has already won our hearts, and we had a very fraternal meal at the Domus Santa Marta where we have been staying,” said the cardinal during a press conference late on Wednesday night.

“Pope Francis also told us last night, “I’m going to sleep well and something tells me you will, too. And we will, knowing that the Church is in good hands,” said the New York cardinal, who described last night’s decision as bringing a “sense of release and of serenity.”

The Argentinian Pope, former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, used only public transportation, unlike many cardinals, to move around the city of Buenos Aires where he was living until now.

Cardinal Dolan told how Pope Francis used the last of the cardinals’ minibuses to return to the St. Martha house, instead of using the papal car with the license plate “Stato Vaticano 1.”

And last night he didn’t go up on the platform to sit on the papal chair, but instead stayed down and greeted each cardinal.

“It’s clear he already takes very seriously his role as the Bishop of Rome, since Pope Francis said he would venerate Our Lady, Help of the Roman People today,” said Cardinal Dolan.

FULL COVERAGE

Pope to cardinals: 'I hope God forgives you' (CNA)

Vatican spokesman releases Pope's initial schedule (CNS)

RELEASE

Cardinal Pell welcomes election of Holy Father