By: Len Cannon / 11 News

Two weeks, after he learned he was selected as the first Roman Catholic cardinal from Texas, Archbishop Daniel DiNardo is still recovering from the shock.

Though he is has been involved with the Catholic church since he was a boy in Pittsburgh and became a priest in 1977, he says he did not aspire to or expect to be named a Cardinal.

In a 20-minute interview, I found the Cardinal-designate to be friendly and energetic.

He says, without a doubt, he is a people person. He says he likes to get out and talk to parishioners.

11 News anchor Len Cannon talks to Archbishop DiNardo

In the two and a half years he has been in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese, he says he has visited 152 of the 160 parishes.

He admits too, the biggest challenge is getting more people into the priesthood.
"I find that the appeal to young people today is first of all be clear,” said DiNardo. “Second, don't be afraid to show this is a challenge. You don't hide that there are challenges being a priest."

He studied theology and philosophy, but it was a 15-minute conversation with the late Pope

John Paul II, that he says he truly learned the meaning of service.