Pope names moderate as Chicago archbishop

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Pope Francis, in his first major appointment in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in the United States, on Saturday (September 20) named Bishop Blase Cupich as the new archbishop of Chicago.

Cupich, 65, who is seen as a moderate and is currently the bishop of Spokane, Washington, succeeds the more conservative Cardinal Francis George, 77, who is retiring.

Chicago, with more than 2.2 million parishioners, is the third-largest U.S. diocese by population and its archbishop has traditionally played a major role in the American Church hierarchy and in relations with national political leaders.

Cupich gently brushed off comments about his reportedly moderate political views, which some church watchers have speculated could indicate a shift in focus for the Roman Catholic church.

Discussing the Pope's decision to select him, Cupich said, "I think his (Pope Francis) priority is not to send a message but send a bishop and that'