Closeup of Cardinal-designate Cupich

Friday, Oct. 14, 2016

CHICAGO (CNS) — Archbishop Blase J. Cupich greeted the congregation at Holy Name Cathedral with quips about the other news in town – the Chicago Marathon and the Cubs’ second playoff win – before acknowledging the news that he had been appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis. 

Cardinal-designate Cupich, who was appointed archbishop of Chicago in 2014, said he was “deeply humbled” by the pope’s decision announced earlier that day that he would be joining 16 other new cardinals.

In a brief news conference Oct. 9 following 11 a.m. Mass at the cathedral, the archbishop also said he is encouraged by his appointment. Asked if the pope sent a message with his appointment, Cardinal-designate Cupich said he heard that question frequently when he was named archbishop; “I responded that the pope was sending not a message but a pastor,” Cardinal-designate Cupich said.

Now, he said, he hopes he and the other cardinals can help Pope Francis in his mission. The root of the word cardinal is the same the root of “cardio,” meaning heart, and that demonstrates how close cardinals are to be to the chair of Peter, he said. 

He added that he is honored to be in the company of the others who will be inducted into the College of Cardinals Nov. 19 at the Vatican.

As for changes in his daily life, he said the Archdiocese of Chicago remains his priority although his role as a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, which he was appointed to this summer, will place some demands on his time. The congregation’s main job is to identify and propose candidates to become bishops in dioceses in the Americas, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The cardinal-designate is chancellor of the Catholic Church Extension Society and the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein and executive board member of the Catholic Mutual Relief Society.