In a significant leadership change for the Catholic Church in the United States, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York. The announcement, made on Thursday 18 December 2025, sees the fellow Chicagoan take over from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who had led one of the nation's most prominent archdioceses.
A Chicago Connection Shapes Major US Appointment
Bishop Ronald Aldon Hicks, currently serving the diocese of Joliet in Illinois, was named by the pontiff to assume this high-profile role. At 58 years old, Hicks will now shepherd approximately 2.5 million Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and seven northern counties. His appointment is viewed as a pivotal moment, marking a new chapter under the first American pope, who also hails from Chicago.
The handover follows Cardinal Dolan's submission of his resignation in February, a mandatory step upon turning 75. While the Vatican often delays such changes to resolve ongoing issues, Dolan's recent finalisation of a $300 million compensation fund for clergy sexual abuse victims is understood to have cleared the path for the transition.
Shared Backgrounds and Progressive Priorities
The connection between Pope Leo and Bishop Hicks runs deep, rooted in their shared Chicago upbringing. Hicks grew up in South Holland, Illinois, near the childhood home of the pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. Both men share a pastoral focus shaped by experiences in Latin America; Hicks spent five years in El Salvador managing a church-run orphanage programme.
Their personal meeting in 2024, when then-Cardinal Prevost visited one of Hicks's parishes, revealed a strong alignment in vision. Hicks later remarked on their shared background, noting they "played in the same parks, went swimming in the same pools, like the same pizza places." This rapport is seen as instrumental in his appointment, which likely required the endorsement of Chicago's progressive Cardinal Blase Cupich, a key adviser to both Pope Francis and Pope Leo.
Navigating Political and Pastoral Challenges
Bishop Hicks steps into a role that carries significant political weight, particularly regarding the archdiocese's relationship with the Trump administration. In November 2025, Hicks publicly endorsed a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops message condemning the administration's immigration raids, urging "solidarity with all our brothers and sisters." This stance aligns with Pope Leo's and the U.S. hierarchy's willingness to challenge federal policies on immigration.
He succeeds Cardinal Dolan, a prominent conservative figure who hosted the annual Al Smith Dinner and had ties to the Republican administration, yet also demonstrated outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics. Dolan was even touted by Donald Trump as a potential successor to Pope Francis.
Immediate Task: Overseeing Abuse Settlement Implementation
One of Bishop Hicks's most pressing initial duties will be overseeing the implementation of the massive abuse settlement fund finalised by his predecessor. The fund, financed through budget reductions and asset sales, aims to address roughly 1,300 outstanding abuse claims against the archdiocese.
Hicks is no stranger to the clergy abuse crisis. The Joliet diocese he led, along with the wider Illinois church, faced severe criticism in a 2023 state attorney general's report. While the report acknowledged improved child protection policies under his leadership, it documented past failures by previous bishops in handling abusers.
The appointment of Bishop Ronald Hicks by Pope Leo XIV represents more than a routine clerical change. It signals a deliberate shift towards a leadership style deeply connected to the pontiff's own Chicago roots and his vision for the Church's social mission, setting the stage for a new era in New York and for American Catholicism at large.
