Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Ronald Hicks as New Archbishop of New York, Succeeding Cardinal Dolan
VATICAN CITY & NEW YORK — In a major leadership shift within the U.S. Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as the next Archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, who retired after years of service leading one of America’s most influential archdioceses.
This appointment marks one of the most significant U.S. episcopal leadership changes of Pope Leo’s young pontificate and reflects a potential new direction for the Catholic Church in the United States.
A New Archbishop for the Nation’s Second-Largest Catholic Archdiocese
Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, currently shepherds the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, where he has served since 2020. He has been entrusted with leading the Archdiocese of New York, which serves approximately 2.5 million Catholics and is widely viewed as one of the most important Catholic jurisdictions in the country.
Hicks will succeed Cardinal Dolan, who served as Archbishop of New York since 2009 and submitted his resignation to the pope upon reaching the canonical retirement age of 75, a standard practice in Catholic Church leadership transitions.
Born on August 4, 1967, in Harvey, Illinois, Hicks grew up in the Chicago suburbs and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1994. Over the years, he has held roles ranging from parish leadership to regional coordinator of international charity work — including a five-year term overseeing care and support for orphaned children in Central America — before becoming an auxiliary bishop in Chicago and later Bishop of Joliet.
Leadership Style and Vision
Observers note that Hicks brings a pastoral and community-focused leadership style that aligns with Pope Leo’s broader vision for the Church. His experience includes not only parish and diocesan administration but also humanitarian outreach and engagement with diverse Catholic communities.
Despite his deep pastoral experience, Hicks will face a challenging landscape in New York, where the archdiocese is navigating significant issues including the management of roughly $300 million in clergy sex abuse settlement obligations and financial restructuring efforts. Property sales and budget adjustments are currently underway to help fulfill compensation commitments to survivors of past abuse, priorities carried forward from Cardinal Dolan’s tenure.
A Shared Background With the Pope
Hicks and Pope Leo XIV share personal roots in the Chicago area, an aspect highlighted by local and church observers as meaningful. Both leaders grew up in neighboring communities of the metropolitan region, and Hicks has described the pope as someone he personally respects and whose pastoral priorities he admires.
This shared background has sparked interest among Catholic faithful and commentators, as many see Hicks’s appointment as indicative of Pope Leo’s broader approach to leadership — balancing tradition with outreach and emphasizing pastoral care across diverse communities.
What’s Next for the Archdiocese of New York
With his new role, Archbishop-designate Hicks will oversee not only New York City’s Catholic institutions but also parishes across several counties, shaping the spiritual direction of millions of faithful during a time of both challenge and opportunity for the Church in America.
His appointment is expected to be officially installed in the coming weeks, and Catholic leaders across the United States are watching closely as Hicks prepares to take the helm of one of the nation’s most prominent archdioceses.
