Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem and appointed Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, former "custos" of the Holy Land, as the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Franciscan will serve as apostolic administrator until the appointment of a new patriarch and he will be elevated to the dignity of archbishop, the Vatican said. His episcopal ordination will be in September.
The resignation and appointment were announced on June 24 by the Vatican.
