Pope Leo XIV to appoint Bishop Hicks as New York archbishop replacement
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Pope Leo XIV is expected to appoint Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet as the next archbishop of New York “as early as this week,” replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan, according to a source with direct knowledge of the archdiocese.
The news comes after Dolan asked for a mandatory retirement for Pope Leo, who reached his 75th birthday in February.
“There have been rumors this week that Pope Leo will accept Cardinal Dolan’s resignation and appoint Bishop Ron Hicks in his place,” the source told Fox News Digital.
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Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet is expected to be appointed as the next archbishop of New York. (YouTube/Diocese of Joliet)
The source also emphasized that “it would be very strange to replace a beloved cardinal before Christmas.”
This latest development signals an imminent change in leadership at one of the world’s most prominent Catholic archdioceses, and also just before Christmas.
Dolan has served as archbishop of New York since 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him following his tenure in Milwaukee.
Hicks, 58, could emerge as a leading contender because of his Midwestern roots and reputation.
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Cardinal Dolan at St. Paul in New York City. He joined Maria Bartiromo for an exclusive interview at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (Fox News/ScreenGraphic)
Born in Harvey, Illinois, and raised in South Holland, Hicks was appointed bishop of Joliet by Pope Francis in 2020.
His ties to Illinois and the Chicago area, where Pope Leo also grew up, can be seen as strengthening his position.
Speaking about the pope shortly after his election in 2024, Hicks told WGN-TV that he felt the pope was “relatable,” adding, “He’s a normal guy from a normal neighborhood where we grew up.”
POPE LEO
Pope Leo XIV boards a plane to Ankara from Fiumicino international airport in Rome, Italy, on November 27, 2025. (Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
On Monday, Dolan and Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, who has ties to the New York archdiocese, shared a post about X on the subject.
“Strong rumors that @Pontifex has accepted @CardinalDolan’s resignation and appointed Bishop Ron Hicks to Joliet, Illinois,” the post read.
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If confirmed, Hicks would also assume leadership at a difficult time for the Archdiocese of New York.
The fact that the church is facing allegations of sexual abuse by more than 1,300 clergy creates an urgent need to collect approximately $300 million in settlement funds.
On December 9, the archdiocese announced that it would pay compensation to the victims. fox 5.
To meet these obligations, the archdiocese enacted layoffs, cut its operating budget by 10%, and began selling major real estate assets.
Additionally, Lotte announced that the land under the New York Palace Hotel will be sold for $490 million, and an additional $100 million is expected from the sale of its former headquarters at 1011 First Avenue.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Joliet for comment.
