Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Archbishop
Pope Leo XIV has selected Bishop Ronald Hicks from Illinois to become the next archbishop of New York, taking the helm of one of the most significant Catholic dioceses in the United States.
The Vatican made the announcement on Thursday at noon local time in Rome, which corresponds to 6 a.m. on the East Coast. A Mass of thanksgiving is scheduled for St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City later in the day.
“I have been deeply blessed to serve the people of the Diocese of Joliet,” Bishop Hicks expressed in a statement. “I will carry with me the faith, generosity, and spirit of this diocese as I embark on this new chapter.”
The Archdiocese confirmed that Cardinal Timothy Dolan has retired at age 75, following church policy regarding bishops’ retirement ages.
Cardinal Dolan remarked, “I am grateful to Pope Leo for appointing such a splendid priest and bishop to serve you. I have pledged my fidelity and full cooperation to Archbishop-designate Hicks.”
Since his appointment as archbishop in 2009, Cardinal Dolan has overseen a reduction in parishes to allocate funds for settlements related to clergy sex abuse cases. He is known for his upbeat defense of conservative Catholic teachings.
The Rev. Sam Sawyer from America magazine noted that while many appreciate Cardinal Dolan’s energetic leadership style, there were hopes he would adopt a more pastoral approach like that of Pope Francis on contentious issues.
Bishop Hicks, who is 58 years old and was ordained in Chicago, has experience working in Latin America and served as an auxiliary bishop before moving to Joliet in 2020. His appointment reflects Pope Leo’s desire for unity within the church.
Bishop Michael Olson from Fort Worth commented: “You’ll see him as a priest and pastor who defies political characterization.”
The selection hints at a potential shift away from strict ideological alignments seen under previous papacies. Former Representative Daniel Lipinski emphasized that Bishop Hicks should not be viewed through a political lens but rather appreciated for his pastoral qualities.
Kathryn Jean Lopez from National Review stated: “Cardinal Dolan points to Christ; that’s what he’s about, and I expect we will see more of that from his successor.”
