Cardinal Blase Cupich turns 75, sends mandatory resignation to Vatican

The headquarters of the Archdiocese of Chicago is of Gothic Revival architecture, with many elements pointing upward and a large round ornate window above the main entrance. — The headquarters of the Archdiocese of Chicago, at 835 N. Rush St.

Cardinal Blase Cupich submitted his mandatory resignation letter to the Vatican on Tuesday.

The cardinal, who turned 75, sent the letter to Pope Francis. The Archdiocese of Chicago said he submitted his resignation because he has reached the mandatory retirement age set by the church.

Close up photo of Cardinal Blase Cupich as he prays while wearing red and white vestments. — Cardinal Blase Cupich prays during a Walk For Peace and the Stations of the Cross through Englewood on Good Friday in 2017. Cupich came to Chicago to lead the archdiocese from Spokane in 2014 and was named a cardinal two years later.

But Pope Francis could reject the letter and ask Cardinal Cupich to continue to serve.

“Cardinal Cupich has complied with this requirement, and it is now in the hands of the Holy Father to determine when it is accepted,” the archdiocese said in a written statement.

Cupich is still keeping secrets on clergy sex abuse

Cupich, a Nebraskan of Croatian descent, is one of four of the pope’s personally handpicked American cardinals.

Pope Francis appointed Cupich to the powerful Congregation for Bishops, an influential Vatican slate-making committee, and also chose him as one of 48 people to attend the global synod of Catholic bishops and lay delegates who determine the future of the church.

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