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Pope Leo Appoints Ronald Hicks as New Archbishop of New York

12/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Pope Leo appointed Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
The appointment comes amid criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies, which the Church has opposed.
Hicks has experience working with marginalized communities in Latin America.
He aims to address the clerical sexual abuse scandal and promote social justice.
He will be installed on February 6, 2026.

History

Historical Context

In 1850, John Hughes became the first Archbishop of New York, advocating for Irish Catholic immigrants who faced discrimination; by 1860, they made up over 40% of the archdiocese's population. Today, Ronald Hicks' appointment highlights ongoing challenges related to immigration and social justice, reflecting the Catholic Church's enduring commitment to support marginalized communities in America.

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Story summary

Pope Leo appointed Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
The appointment comes amid criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies, which the Church has opposed.
Hicks has experience working with marginalized communities in Latin America.
He aims to address the clerical sexual abuse scandal and promote social justice.
He will be installed on February 6, 2026.

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