Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as the next archbishop of New York, marking his most significant appointment in the United States since becoming the first American pope. Hicks, a fellow Chicago native, will lead one of the country’s largest and most influential Catholic archdioceses at a time of heightened political tension, immigration crackdowns and ongoing reckoning over clerical abuse.
Hicks replaces Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a high-profile conservative figure who formally submitted his resignation earlier this year after turning 75. Dolan’s departure comes shortly after he finalized plans for a $300-million compensation fund intended to resolve sexual abuse lawsuits against the archdiocese.
Addressing the issue at a news conference Thursday, Hicks acknowledged the gravity of the abuse crisis and pledged continued accountability. He said the church must remain vigilant in protecting children, supporting survivors and fostering transparency, even when the work is painful and difficult.
Although Dolan had offered his resignation months ago, the Vatican delayed the transition while governance and abuse-related matters were brought to a close. Hicks will now oversee the implementation of the settlement fund, which aims to resolve roughly 1,300 outstanding claims through asset sales and budget reductions.
The appointment signals a new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. Both Leo and Hicks are viewed as leaders willing to challenge the Trump administration, particularly on immigration policy. Hicks has previously endorsed U.S. bishops’ statements condemning immigration raids and has called for reform grounded in human dignity and Catholic social teaching.
Hicks, 58, grew up near Leo in the Chicago area and shares a similar pastoral background. He spent five years in El Salvador leading a church-run orphanage program across Latin America and the Caribbean, experience that has shaped his views on migration and social justice.
Accepting the appointment, Hicks said he was taking on the role with humility and asked for prayers as he prepares to serve the diverse communities of New York. Dolan, meanwhile, warmly welcomed his successor, calling him an “early Christmas gift” for the archdiocese.
The Archdiocese of New York serves roughly 2.5 million Catholics across New York City and seven surrounding counties. Dolan, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, became one of the most recognizable Catholic leaders in the country, maintaining close ties to political leaders, including President Donald Trump, while also navigating complex cultural debates within the church.
Hicks brings experience in church leadership and crisis management. As bishop of Joliet, he led the diocese after a sweeping Illinois attorney general’s report detailed decades of clergy abuse and institutional failures. While the report criticized past leadership, it noted improvements in current child-protection policies under Hicks’ tenure.
His elevation is widely seen as reflecting the influence of Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, a progressive voice in the U.S. church and close adviser to both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.
As archbishop, Hicks faces immediate challenges: rebuilding trust after decades of abuse scandals, guiding the archdiocese through major financial settlements, and navigating its public stance on immigration and social justice amid a polarized political climate.
