(Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, watches  the helicopter (not pictured) carrying Pope Benedict XVI fly off from the Vatican, on its way to the papal summer residence at Castelgandolfo, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Yara Nardi )

Roman Catholicism faces a serious challenge from the rising number of people who believe in God but no longer see any need for a church, according to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

(A man tries to remove a spoof poster supporting Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson from a billboard in Rome, March 1, 2013.  REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi )

Narrowing down lists of about a dozen potential popes to a handful of serious hopefuls will be one of the main tasks of the closed-door meetings that Catholic cardinals begin on Monday.

(A man holds new stamps “Vacant Seat” in his shop next to the Vatican in Rome March 1, 2013.  REUTERS/Tony Gentile )

A relaxed and rested Pope Emeritus Benedict read messages from well-wishers and strolled in his retirement palace gardens on Friday as cardinals due to elect his successor planned pre-vote meetings for next week.