Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who has served as the Archbishop of Boston for over 20 years, and named Bishop Richard Henning of Providence as his successor. O'Malley, 80, was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2003 to manage the fallout from a major clergy sexual abuse scandal. He has been a close adviser to Pope Francis, especially on issues of child protection, and remains head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Henning, a New York native, has only been bishop of Providence for a year, making his appointment a surprise to some. O'Malley's tenure is noted for bringing healing and reform to the archdiocese, which serves 1.8 million Roman Catholics and had significant financial and educational responsibilities. Henning expressed surprise and humility at his appointment, emphasizing his role as a listener in his new position.