Incoming Archbishop Blase J. Cupich talks about humility, Pope Francis and the mercy of God in an interview with NBC News.
The 65-year-old Cupich will be installed as archbishop of Chicago in ceremonies at Holy Name Cathedral on Tuesday, succeeding Cardinal Francis George, who is retiring and battling cancer.
In his interview with Ann Curry, Cupich dodges attempts to label him as “humble” and talks about embracing homosexuals.
“I think that’s where the mission of the Gospel is,” Cupich said. “Christ said to go out and seek people who are lost. People who are injured. People who are excluded, and he did that his whole ministry. That’s what got him in trouble. So if I get in trouble with that, I don’t mind. I’m in good company.”
He also compared Pope Francis to his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
“John Paul II told us what to do,” Cupich said. “Benedict XVI told us why we should do it. Francis is saying, ‘Do it.’ So, I think that’s a contribution he’s making.”