SUDBURY -- Thursday morning, Pope Francis announced the appointment of Bishop Thomas Dowd as bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, transferring him from the metropolitan archdiocese of Montreal.

"Pope Francis has appointed me as the new bishop of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie," Dowd tweeted Thursday. "It will be a big change as I've always lived in Montreal, but I'm looking forward to a new adventure. Please pray for me, for the people of Montreal, and the people of Sault Ste. Marie!"

Dowd has his own blog  and even once took a selfie with the Pope.

A news release from the diocese said Dowd was born Sept. 11, 1970, in Lachine, Que. Before entering the seminary, he obtained a university diploma in international trade at the Concordia University of Montreal.

He completed his studies in theology at the Grand séminaire of Montreal and was ordained a priest Dec. 7, 2001. Since then, he has been assistant to the Holy Name (2001-2002) and Saint Thomas Beckett parishes (2002-2004); parish administrator of the Saint Veronica parish and assistant to the Saint Luke parish (2005-2006); and chaplain of Lakeshore General Hospital (2005-2008).

Since 2005 he has worked in various offices of the Curia: for priests, vocations and the formation of pastoral agents. He was awarded a licentiate in theology at the University of Montreal, and taught theology at the Concordia University, and sacramental and liturgical theology at the Grand séminaire of Montreal.

He obtained a license in Canon Law from Strasbourg University. He knows English, French, German and Spanish.

In July 2011, he was appointed as titular bishop of Treba and Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal, and was consecrated in September 2011 in Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.

"He has fulfilled many roles within the Archdiocese of Montreal, the Association of Catholic Bishops of Quebec and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops," the release said.