By Nick Gale, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) Chicago’s Catholic leader is now a Cardinal.

Archbishop Blase Cupich was elevated to Cardinal this morning in Rome.He had arrived Thursday to participate events leading up to the ceremony.

“I think it’s a great day for Chicago,” Cupich said Thursday. “See, we have a part to play in the universal church. I’m just the latest chapter.”

Pope Francis chose Cupich for Chicago, the Pope’s first major appointment of leadership within the American Catholic Church.

Nearly 40 of Archbishop Cupich’s family members  made the trip to Rome to witness his elevation. Mayor Rahm Emanuel was in attendance as well as Gov. Bruce Rauner, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and many other city and state political figures.

@ 2016 WLS-AM News