Cardinal Dolan Steps Aside as Pope Leo Appoints New York’s Next Archbishop
Right now, there’s a major shift happening at the very top of the Catholic Church in the United States, and it centers on New York. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, one of the most recognizable Catholic leaders in the country, has officially stepped down as Archbishop of New York after turning 75, the age at which bishops are required to submit their resignation. That resignation has now been accepted by Pope Leo, closing a long and influential chapter in the archdiocese’s history.
At the same time, Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York, a move that’s being closely watched both inside and outside the Church. This appointment is being seen as more than routine. It’s widely viewed as a signal of where Pope Leo wants the Church in the US to head, especially on immigration and social justice issues, at a moment when the Trump administration has been pushing tougher anti-immigration policies.
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Bishop Hicks, who is 58, comes from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, and like Pope Leo, he has deep roots in the Chicago area. That shared background has already been highlighted, with Hicks saying he personally relates to the pope because they grew up in similar neighborhoods, played in the same parks, and lived very similar early lives. Beyond geography, they also share pastoral experiences. Hicks spent several years working in Latin America, including time in El Salvador helping orphaned and abandoned children, and earlier work in Mexico. That background has shaped his strong focus on migrants and marginalized communities.
This makes his arrival in New York especially significant. The archbishop of New York is one of the most visible Catholic roles in the country, and it’s traditionally a position that leads to becoming a cardinal. With Pope Leo being the first American-born pope, the spotlight on this role is even brighter than usual.
Cardinal Dolan leaves behind a complex legacy. He was widely known as a gifted communicator and a public-facing church leader who built relationships across the political spectrum. He also had a notably warmer relationship with Donald Trump than Pope Francis did, even offering prayers at Trump’s inaugurations. At times, his positions were seen as out of step with the late Pope Francis, though respect was always publicly expressed.
Now, Archbishop-designate Hicks steps into a role filled with challenges. He will need to navigate a deeply polarized political climate, ongoing debates over immigration, a shortage of priests, and the continuing fallout from clerical sexual abuse scandals. The archdiocese has already announced major property sales to help fund a $300 million settlement for survivors, an issue Hicks has said must be confronted directly and without fear.
For many observers, this moment feels like a turning point. With Cardinal Dolan’s resignation accepted and Bishop Hicks preparing to take over, the Church in New York appears to be entering a new era, one that reflects Pope Leo’s quieter but firmer push toward compassion, balance, and a renewed focus on those living at society’s margins.
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