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Less than a week after Pope Francis named Bishop Blase Cupich the next archbishop of Chicago, the appointee spoke of his move to Illinois, citing immigration reform as chief among the issues to tackle here.

In a news conference this morning in Spokane, Wash., Cupich said he was prepared to work with political and community leaders on immigration reform.

It has been held hostage, I think, to too many views that need to examine whether or not the common good is being secured, saidCupich, 65.

The bishop said he would support state recognition for immigrants, though not necessarily citizenship, in order to better account for immigrants living in the United States.

These people pay taxes, they contribute to the common good it is a matter of making sure we can give them legal status, he said.

Cupich also described the call he received Sept. 11 when the papal nuncio told him that he had been selected for the Chicago position.

I prayed that the Lord would deliver our country from all disaster, then I was appointed to Chicago, Cupich said jokingly. You figure that one out.

Pope Francis named Cupich as the next archbishop Sept. 20. The announcement came just after the Vatican announced the resignation of the cancer-stricken Cardinal Francis George, 77, earlier that morning.

Cupich will step in as leader of the areas 2 million Roman Catholics after his planned installation Nov. 18. George will maintain the position until then.

Throughout the news conference Cupich displayed his sense of humor, joking that he would adopt a Chicago accent and adapt to Chicago sports teams that would likely not win as often as the Gonzaga University Zags of Spokane.

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Cupich discusses immigration reform and move to Chicago