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Pope Francis names new Archbishop of Atlanta

Almost a year after the position became vacant, Atlanta has a new archbishop.

On Thursday, Pope Francis named Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer as the 7th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Hartmayer currently serves as Archbishop of Savannah and succeeds Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.

Gregory served as Atlanta’s archbishop from Jan. 2005 until May 2019 when he was appointed to Washington D.C.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta will host a news conference at 9:30 a.m Thursday to introduce Hartmayer to the community.

Hartmayer served as pastor of St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro for 15 years, starting in 1995. In 2010, he was appointed pastor of St. John Vianney parish in Lithia Springs.

Hartmayer told Channel 2’s Lauren Pozen he was with the Pope just a few weeks ago and nothing was mentioned until he heard from Pope Francis’ nuncio.

“I received the call on Saturday, so he works on Saturday laughter He kinda floored me although I’ve heard the rumors I was in the running to be the Archbishop of Atlanta,” Hartmayer said.

Pope Benedict XVI. named Hartmayer 14th Bishop of Savannah in 2011.