Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, France. / Elise Harris/CNA.Vatican City, Mar 30, 2022 / 06:30 am (CNA).Pope Francis named on Wednesday a new bishop of the French Catholic diocese that is home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the world s most-visited Marian shrines.Msgr. Jean-Marc Micas was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes on March 30.Micas currently serves as the French provincial superior of the Society of Priests of Saint-Sulpice (PSS), a society of apostolic life founded in 1642 that focuses on priestly formation.The 58-year-old priest will fill the vacancy in the Lourdes diocese left when Bishop Nicolas Brouwet was reassigned as bishop of Nîmes in August 2021.In a video message on March 30, Micas said that he was overwhelmed and surprised by his appointment. He noted the difficulties and suffering facing the Church in France as a result of clerical abuse scandals and said he hoped to be a pastor and friend to all entrusted to his care within t.