Pope Leo XIV Names Ronald Hicks as New York’s Next Archbishop

Pope Leo XIV has taken a decisive step in shaping the future of the Catholic Church in the United States by selecting Bishop Ronald Hicks to assume leadership of the Archdiocese of New York, a position long viewed as one of the most strategically important in the American hierarchy.

Multiple individuals familiar with the decision say Hicks will soon move from Illinois to New York, placing him in charge of a diocese whose influence stretches far beyond parish boundaries and regularly intersects with national debates, media attention, and public life.

At 58, Hicks is set to follow Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who served as New York’s archbishop for more than a decade. The archdiocese includes approximately 2.5 million Catholics and encompasses one of the most diverse and administratively complex Catholic populations in the country.

Observers within the Church interpret the appointment as an early indication of how Pope Leo XIV intends to approach episcopal leadership in the United States. Historically, selections tied to New York have often signaled broader priorities coming from Rome.

Hicks has led the Diocese of Joliet since 2020, overseeing parishes and institutions in a rapidly changing pastoral environment. His earlier experience was largely shaped in Chicago, where he spent years in senior administrative roles that placed him close to decision-making at the archdiocesan level.

Born on Aug. 4, 1967, in Harvey, Illinois, Hicks grew up in South Holland, a nearby suburb within the same regional orbit as Pope Leo XIV’s childhood community. In past interviews, Hicks has spoken about shared Midwestern experiences, noting how similar neighborhoods and routines shaped their early lives.

Hicks was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1994. His early ministry combined parish assignments with responsibilities in priestly education, including work at St. Joseph College Seminary during a period of transition for clergy formation.

His pastoral career also includes significant work outside the United States. Beginning in 2005, Hicks relocated to Central America to direct Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a Catholic organization focused on caring for orphaned and abandoned children. Based in El Salvador, he coordinated services that reached thousands of young people across multiple countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

After returning to Chicago in 2010, Hicks resumed leadership in seminary education before being appointed vicar general in 2015, a role that placed him at the center of archdiocesan governance during a time of institutional change.

At the national level, Hicks participates in the work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, contributing to committees addressing clergy life, religious vocations, and long-term formation. He also advises organizations involved in the ongoing development of priests and deacons.

The Archdiocese of New York includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and several surrounding counties, making it one of the most visible and demanding pastoral assignments in the United States. Hicks’ transition into this role positions him at a critical intersection of faith leadership, public scrutiny, and institutional reform.