US EditionPope Leo Accepts Cardinal Dolan’s Resignation, Appoints Bishop Hicks as New York Archbishop
Bishop Ronald Hicks, known for his social outreach and migrant advocacy, will lead 2.8 million Catholics in New York, succeeding Cardinal Dolan amid $300 million abuse settlement efforts.
- Dec. 18, 2025 — the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV accepted Cardinal Timothy Dolan's resignation and named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks as leader of the Archdiocese of New York, serving 2.8 million Catholics.
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan had offered his resignation after turning 75 in February, as required by church law, but his earlier letter to Pope Francis was not acted on before the pope's death.
- Hicks, 58, has led the Diocese of Joliet since 2020 and oversaw about 520,000 Catholics, with Latin American mission experience in El Salvador; The Rev. John Kartje praised him as `capable of administration at the highest levels`.
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan will remain administrator until Bishop Ronald A. Hicks' installation on Feb. 6 at St. Patrick's Cathedral, while the archdiocese manages a $300 million fund and mediation involving 1,300 alleged survivors.
- Observers say the appointment signals Pope Leo XIV's desire to press a firmer stance on U.S. policy and human-rights issues and highlights Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago's influence in U.S. Catholic Church leadership.
158 Articles
158 Articles
Notorious anti-LGBTQ+ New York Archbishop Dolan retires — here are his worst moments
With the retirement of Cardinal Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York, the Roman Catholic Church is losing one of its most anti-LGBTQ+ American leaders. Dolan, who has reached the mandatory retirement age, 75, for bishops and archbishops, will be succeeded by Bishop Ronald Hicks, who has led the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, since 2020, Pope Leo XIV announced Thursday.Dolan became archbishop of New York in 2009. The archdiocese covers not only …
Rep. Malliotakis praises Cardinal Dolan as he steps down from NY Archdiocese
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York after Dolan reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 earlier this year. Archbishop Ronald Hicks will succeed him in leading one of the nation’s largest Catholic archdioceses.
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
SF ExaminerPope Leo names Illinois bishop to replace Cardinal Dolan in New York
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday named an Illinois bishop to replace the powerful conservative Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of New York City’s Roman Catholic archdiocese, a selection that signals his embrace of a more mild and unifying style after the political upheaval of Pope Francis’ papacy, while preserving the spirit of the late pope’s reforms.
Like Leo XIV, Ronald Hicks of Chicago will replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a Trump supporter who was accused of covering up a pedophile scandal in his former diocese.
Pope names new archbishop of New York
Pope Leo XIV has made a significant U.S. appointment by naming Bishop Ronald Hicks as the next archbishop of New York. Hicks, currently the bishop of Joliet, Illinois, replaces the retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Dolan, a prominent conservative figure, recently…
Pope Leo replaces pro-Trump cardinal with pro-migrant bishop from Chicago
Ronald Hicks, a 58-year-old bishop from Illinois, will be formally installed on February 6. He has shown solidarity with migrants at a time when the US administration is ordering mass deportations and portraying migrants and refugees as criminals.
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