Pope Francis begins to reshape American hierarchy
Pope Francis, who has been a very popular pontiff in his first two years, initiated his change in the U.S. this week by naming Bishop Blase Cupich to the influential post as the new archbishop of Chicago. according to the AP on Sept. 20. . This is a major change since he replaces Cardinal Francis George, who was a very conservative and often divisive figure. Cupich, who is the bishop of Spokane, is considered to be a moderate and a member of the Catholic Church's progressive wing, according to Religious News Service. In fact, the RNS wrote that the appointment was very upsetting to conservatives. "It indicated that the appointment "could upend decades of the American hierarchy." The Associated Press indicated that this appointment shows the direction that he is going to take with the U.S. church. " Cupich is Pope Francis' first major appointment in the U.S. and the clearest indication yet of the direction he wants to steer American church lea