Auspicious news for the Catholic Church in San Francisco and a nod of approval from Pope Benedict that he has great faith in Bishop Cordileone's talents:

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland as the new Archbishop of San Francisco, the Vatican announced today.

The 56 year-old San Diego-native replaces Archbishop George Niederauer, 76, who has led the archdiocese since 2006.

In an archdiocese renowned for its same-sex marriage battles, the appointment is particularly noteworthy: Bishop Cordileone is a forthright defender of traditional marriage, known for his strong pro-life record and theological orthodoxy.

...Since January 2011, Bishop Cordileone has served as chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, leading efforts to resist the legalization of same-sex marriage. He is also a member of the USCCB's Committee on Religious Liberty. --National Catholic Register