Vatican City - The pope has accepted the resignation of Miami Archbishop John Favalora and named Orlando's bishop to replace him.
Favalora in December turns 75, the normal retirement age for bishops. Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday accepted his resignation early under a church law that allows for a bishop to step down because of illness or another reason that makes him unsuited for office.
The Vatican didn't give a reason.
Favalora was named Miami archbishop in 1994. Prior to that he was bishop of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Alexandria, Louisiana. Previously, he worked at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
Replacing him is Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando. Wenski speaks English, Spanish and Creole; the Miami archdiocese has a large Cuban and Haitian community.