Toledo, Spain  - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Valladolid archbishop Braulio Rodriguez Plaza, 65, primate of the Catholic Church in Spain, former primate Antonio Canizares announced Thursday.

Rodriguez Plaza will succeed Canizares as the prelate of Toledo and primate of Spain.

The two posts, which have traditionally belonged together, were left vacant in December when Canizares was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments at the Vatican.

Rodriguez Plaza will take office in June, Canizares said.(dpa)