Manya Brachear and Margaret Ramirez over at the Chicago Tribune have a quick profile of Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, who is likely to become the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week.

Chester Gillis, chair in Catholic studies in the theology department of Georgetown University, said George’s ties to Rome could cut both ways.

“Cardinal George is someone with high visibility and high stature in the church. So, if there were an issue that needed to be brought to the Vatican’s attention, he has the status to bring it, and they’ll listen to him,” said Gillis, author of “Roman Catholicism in America.”

“On the other hand, he is someone that is so thoroughly known in many ways and so thoroughly obedient to Rome. Will creativity come to mind? Probably not. Will his vision be to empower the American church or remain obedient to Rome at all costs?”

Our own Dan Burke will be blogging about the bishops’ conference from Baltimore, but Manya and Margaret’s piece should be enough to whet your appetite.