by John L. Allen Jr.
November 13, 2007
By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Baltimore
In a widely expected result, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago was elected this morning as the new President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. George was elected on the first ballot with 85 percent of the vote.
George was elected three years ago as the conference vice-president, and it’s customary for the vice-president to take over the president’s role.
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia received five percent of the vote, and Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona received four percent.
