PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Archbishop Richard Henning made his return to Providence for the Chrism Mass on Monday. Henning was named the next archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston last August and is now getting his first taste of the big city. “It’s been interesting,” he said Monday. “ It’s a totally different scale, as you can imagine from Rhode Island, but I’m finding my way.” To replace Henning, Pope Francis named Bruce Lewandowski as the next Bishop of Providence. “I think it’s a great decision,” Henning said. “Bishop Lewandowski knows Spanish fluently, he knows Portuguese fluently, he has experience in pastoral planning.” For some parishioners, like Jamestown resident Mary Lou Sanborn, the jury is still out on Lewandowski. “I’m going to hold my opinion until he gets here,” Sanborn said. “I’ve read his bio, it sounds good, but he’s coming from Baltimore, which is such a big city compared to Providence.” Lewandowski has not been shy about weighing in on hot topics like immigration in his past assignments. With Henning being someone who was known for keeping opinions private, in contrast to his outspoken predecessor Bishop Thomas Tobin, the archbishop offered some thoughts on the fine line between church and politics. “My understanding is that I’m a pastor not a politician,” Henning said. “I do speak about matters that are important to the common good, but I try not to do that in a way that is partisan.” “These are tricky lines,” he added. “Because often, when you express an opinion, people take it as partisan.” But politics were far from mind as Henning and hundreds of parishioners gathered to celebrate a special day of the Holy Season on Monday. “It was great for him to come back, I’m sure everyone was so glad to see him,” Sanborn said. “His stay here was just too short.” Categories: Massachusetts, News, Providence, Rhode Island ...read more read less