HALIFAX -- Pope Francis has appointed a coadjutor archbishop for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.

The appointment of Most Reverend Brian Dunn means he will eventually succeed Archbishop Anthony Mancini as head of the archdiocese.

Dunn, who is currently Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish, has also been appointed apostolic administrator of the diocese of Antigonish until a new bishop is assigned.

Mancini will remain archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth until he resigns his position on his 75th birthday in November 2020.

Once Pope Francis accepts Mancini's resignation, Bishop Dunn will become the new archbishop as his new designation gives him the right of succession.

Mancini made a request for a coadjutor bishop in December to help with a major restructuring of the archdiocese -- which Dunn now says he's looking forward to being a part of.

"I am looking forward to being involved in this renewal and restructuring of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth," Dunn said in a news release.

"At the same time I know that I will have to leave many of the people with whom I have shared life and ministry in the Diocese of Antigonish since January of 2010. Priests, deacons and lay people have been a tremendous support to me over these years and I am deeply grateful for this support."

Dunn is to assume his position of coadjutor archbishop "in the near future," when his papal letter of appointment is received and presented to the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.