The pope had barely taken off from JFK airport when speculation started to mount that one of his first official acts upon landing in Rome would be to send New York’s Cardinal Edward Egan into retirement.

It seems to fair to say that Egan will probably be out sooner rather than later, but not quite that fast. Some had even speculated that an appointment could come Tuesday, since that’s when the Vatican typically announces such things.

Egan had said he wanted to stick around for the conclusion of the 200th birthday of the New York Archdiocese, which officially wrapped up with the pope’s visit this past weekend. He’s also already reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, so he could go at any time. This pope hasn’t seemed to share John Paul’s willingness to let cardinals serve until age 80-just look how quickly he retired Theodore McCarrick in Washington, just barely past his 75th.

And it’s been no secret that while Egan has enjoyed the prominence of the pulpit at St. Patrick’s, he’s not been universally loved by his New York flock. The word “aloof” comes to mind, perhaps even haughty.

Initial speculation, as repeated by The Times, has centered on Archbishop Tim Dolan from Milwaukee, Auxiliary Bishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford (an auxiliary bishop in New York under the late great Cardinal John J. O’Connor); and Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves of Puerto Rico. There’s also been some chatter about Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Walsh from within New York, but my money’s on Dolan, who has the larger-than-life media presence that would make an excellent fit for the Big Apple.