The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago (Latin: Archidioecesis Chicagiensis) was established as a diocese in 1843 and elevated to an archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles (3,650 km2). The archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries. This local church is headed by the Most Rev. Blase Joseph Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, assisted by six episcopal vicars, each responsible for a vicariate (region). The see city for the diocese is Chicago. The cathedral parish for the archdiocese is the Holy Name. Archbishop Cupich's predecessor was Cardinal Francis George, who served from 1997 until 2014; he died on April 17, 2015.