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Published September 20, 2014

FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Chicago Cardinal Francis George pauses while speaking during a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference Saturday, Sept. 20, but will not comment. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Chicago Cardinal Francis George speaks during a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference Saturday, Sept. 20, but will not comment. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 17, 2002, file photo Chicago's Cardinal Francis George answers questions from the media after a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, but will not comment. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Chicago Cardinal Francis George exits a news conference in Chicago. The Associated Press has learned that Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Wash., will be the next archbishop of Chicago. A person with knowledge of the selection says Cupich will succeed George. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly. The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference Saturday, Sept. 20, but will not comment. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)(The Associated Press)

Newly appointed Archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop Blase Cupich speaks to the media after it was announced that he would replace Cardinal Francis George, retiring leader of the Chicago Catholic Archdiocese during a news conference in Chicago, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)(The Associated Press)

Bishop Blase Cupich, a moderate who has called for civility in the culture wars and has embraced Pope Francis' focus on fighting poverty, will be named the next archbishop of Chicago, The Associated Press has learned.

Cupich will succeed Cardinal Francis George, according to a person with knowledge of the selection, who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the person wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a news conference for Saturday morning. A spokeswoman for the archdiocese would not comment. George, 77, has been battling cancer and has said he believes the disease will end his life.

The pope's choice for Chicago has been closely watched as his first major appointment in the U.S., and the clearest indication yet of the direction he will steer American church leaders. Cupich is a moderate and is not among U.S. Roman Catholic bishops who have taken a harder line on hot-button issues. Francis has called for a greater focus on mercy and compassion instead of divisive social issues.

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Spokane Bishop Blase Cupich, a moderate, to be next archbishop of Chicago