The top U.S. bishop, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, has told a meeting of the pope and his fellow cardinals that they must spread the faith with joy, love - and blood if necessary.

Dolan, the archbishop of New York, gave the keynote address today at the Vatican to a gathering of the cardinals who will participate in the ceremony tomorrow to bring Dolan and 21 other cardinals into the elite men's club that will elect the next pope.

Dolan said the Vatican No. 2 had told him to speak about spreading the faith in a secular world since New York was the "capital of a secular culture." Dolan said while there's "graphic secularism" in the Big Apple, "it is also a very religious city."

He said cardinals wear scarlet to show they are willing to shed blood for the faith.

Meanwhile, workers at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan were preparing for the cardinal-designate.

When Dolan returns, there will be a new coat of arms at the landmark cathedral.

The bishop's throne, located on the altar, is being changed from green to red, the cardinal's colors. The carpet surrounding it also will be red.

Cardinals are the pope's top advisers. The elite group of churchmen will eventually elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI (the 16th).

Dolan is also president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.