Pope Names Chicagoan as Archbishop of Milwaukee

A former auxiliary bishop of Chicago and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves has been named the new archbishop of Milwaukee.

Pope Benedict XVI announced Saturday that Bishop Jerome Listecki, a Chicago native serving as bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wis., for the last four years, will lead the 210 parishes in the 10-county Milwaukee region. He's known of the Vatican's decision for a couple of weeks, WISN-TV reported.

Listecki replaces Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who left Milwaukee seven months ago for New York.

The 60-year-old will be installed as Milwaukee's archbishop in early January by Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi.

"I pray that God gives me the strength to be a good Archbishop that I might earn your love and respect," he said Saturday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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