The late pope’s attention to geographic detail led to what was described as the most diverse conclave in the history of the church.

Just about two weeks before he died, Francis announced that Archbishop-elect McKnight will be the next archbishop of Kansas City, Mo., and that Bishop Lewandowski will become the next bishop of Providence, R.I.

To stop the important work of refugee resettlement is to lose part of the church’s identity in the United States.

When asked if we could expect other such surprises in the coming days, Dr. Sergio Alfieri responded: “I do not rule out that the Holy Father will give us other surprises. We know him.”

The U.S.C.C.B. said it would not renew its cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support after its longstanding partnerships with the government in those areas became “untenable.”

McCarrick had been removed from ministry at the direction of the Vatican in June 2018 due to a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a teenager investigated by the Archdiocese of New York.