Cardinal Robert McElroy, who led the Catholic Diocese of San Diego for a decade, will undergo surgery for cancer.
McElroy now serves as the archbishop of Washington. He was diagnosed with well-differentiated liposarcoma, a "non-aggressive cancer," according to a statement from the archdiocese.
Because of his forthcoming surgery next Thursday, Cardinal McElroy will be absent from the meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, where members are expected to elect their next president and vice president.
The cardinal says he plans to resume his full duties by the end of this month.