NEW YORK — In a major transition for the American Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as the next Archbishop of New York
The Vatican made the official announcement early Thursday morning, December 18, 2025. The appointment of the 58-year-old Bishop Hicks ends months of speculation and marks the first significant U.S. appointment by Pope Leo XIV, who was elected earlier this year in May.
A Changing of the Guard
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, 75, a boisterous and widely recognisable figure who has led the Archdiocese of New York since 2009, submitted his mandatory resignation letter in February upon reaching the retirement age required by canon law. While he will remain as the apostolic administrator for the coming weeks, his formal retirement signals the end of a 16-year era characterized by his prominent role in New York’s civic life and national religious debates.
Who is Bishop Ronald Hicks?
The new Archbishop-elect is a native of Illinois and, like Pope Leo XIV, hails from the Chicago area. Known for a more understated, pastoral approach compared to Dolan’s “larger-than-life” persona, Hicks brings a diverse background to the role:
- Missionary Roots: He spent five years in El Salvador as regional director of an orphanage network, an experience widely credited with shaping his “shepherd’s heart” and focus on the marginalized.
- Leadership Style: Described by peers as a “bridge builder,” he has served as an auxiliary bishop and vicar general in the Archdiocese of Chicago before being named Bishop of Joliet in 2020.
- Alignment with Rome: Hicks is viewed as a close ally of the current Pope’s vision, particularly regarding social justice, human rights, and solidarity with migrants.
Immediate Challenges
Hicks takes the helm of the second-largest archdiocese in the United States—serving roughly 2.5 million Catholics—at a critical juncture. His first major task will be overseeing a recently finalized $300 million settlement fund for victims of clergy sexual abuse, a plan Cardinal Dolan solidified just last week.
“I accept this appointment with humility and an open heart,” Bishop Hicks said during a press conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday afternoon. “As a church, we can never rest in our efforts to protect children and to care for survivors.”
Installation Date
Archbishop-elect Hicks is scheduled to be formally installed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on February 6, 2026.