Full Breakdown
Pope Leo XIV Imposes Pallia on New Metropolitan Archbishops, Including New York’s Ronald Hicks
6/30/2026, 2:59:47 AM
Pope Leo XIV Imposes Pallia on New Metropolitan Archbishops
On June 29 2026, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Mass of Saints Peter and Paul at St. Peter’s Basilica and personally placed the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops, including New York’s Ronald A. Hicks. The ceremony began at 9:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT).
Restoring the Traditional Pallium Rite
The event reverses Pope Francis’s 2015 reform that delegated pallium imposition to apostolic nuncios after a Roman blessing. By resuming the pontiff’s direct conferral, the Vatican says it restores “the pedagogy of communion” between the Pope and metropolitans.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks and Other U.S. Recipients
Hicks traveled to Rome with New York pilgrims and received his pallium alongside Archbishop James Checchio of New Orleans. He told CBS News New York that the vestment “symbolizes our responsibility for governance, administration and authority… and at the same time we are called to be shepherds with a shepherd’s heart.” He also praised Pope Leo XIV’s memory and warmth.
Global Participation
The Vatican announced 35 metropolitan archbishops from five continents would receive pallia, naming sees such as Kraków, Vienna, Westminster, Lahore and Conakry. A Fox 8 report listed 55 archbishops, indicating broader attendance across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Symbolic Meaning of the Pallium
The pallium is a narrow white wool band embroidered with six black crosses, woven from lambs’ wool blessed on January 21. It signifies metropolitan jurisdiction, communion with the Bishop of Rome, and pastoral solicitude.
Official Statements & Responses
Msgr. Diego Ravelli’s Notificazione instructed metropolitans to appear in white mitres before 8:45 a.m. and highlighted the pallium’s role in “communion with the Chair of Peter.” Vatican commentary described the vestment as embodying “jurisdiction, communion, and pastoral solicitude.” Hicks emphasized gratitude for the Pope’s leadership and the pallium’s reminder of shepherding duties.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of recipients—35 versus 55—and the full list of archdioceses was not released, leaving the distribution unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It says we have a certain responsibility for governance and administration and authority. All of those things come on our shoulders, and at the same time we're called upon to be a shepherd, a pastor who really cares with a shepherd's heart, for the ones we serve,” — Ronald A. Hicks, Archbishop of New York
- “The garment’s lamb-like shape is meant to recall Jesus, the Lamb of God, and the care a bishop owes his people.” — Fox 8 News report
- “What the pallium is—and what it means The pallium is a narrow band of white wool, adorned with six black crosses, which the metropolitan wears over the chasuble in liturgical celebrations within his ecclesiastical province.” — Infovaticana article
What’s Next
The ceremony was livestreamed by The Good Newsroom at 3:30 a.m. EDT. Future impositions will follow the same format, with each new metropolitan expected to request his pallium from the Apostolic See within three months of taking possession.
