Pope Francis Appoints New Leader for Boston Catholic Church

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Richard Henning as the new archbishop of the Boston Catholic Church, succeeding the retiring Cardinal Sean O'Malley. Henning, previously the bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, will take over one of the largest Catholic archdioceses in the U.S. The Boston archdiocese holds a significant position within the global Catholic community.

Pope Francis has named Bishop Richard Henning as the new leader of the Catholic Church in Boston, succeeding the retiring Cardinal Sean O'Malley, a prominent adviser and key figure on clergy sexual abuse issues. Henning had been serving as the bishop of Providence, Rhode Island.

The Boston archdiocese is anticipated to provide additional details during a press conference, including the date for Henning's official installation. Henning, relatively new among U.S. bishops, was first appointed by Francis in 2018 as an auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, New York, and was made bishop of Providence in 2023.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who turned 80 on June 29, retires after significant contributions since his appointment by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Elevated by Francis in 2013, O'Malley has played crucial roles, notably leading the Vatican's commission on clergy sexual abuse. The Boston archdiocese, the fourth-largest in the U.S., serves approximately 1.8 million Catholics.