Francis has known him since 2006, when as archbishop of Buenos Aires he heard about his work with street children and drug addicts and contacted him.

Francis has shown a great interest in Iraq and its people that have suffered so much since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

He succeeds Cardinal Angelo Sodano, 92, who was dean for almost 15 years.

Mr. Pence told Francis “you made me a hero” back home by granting him the private audience.

Bishop Nelson J. Perez becomes the third Hispanic archbishop in the United States and the first to serve in this archdiocese.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” the hosts look at the appointment of Francesca di Giovanni to a top role in the Vatican's Secretariat of State.