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Pope Leo Accepts Cardinal Dolan’s Resignation, Appoints Bishop Hicks as New York Archbishop

Bishop Ronald Hicks, known for his social outreach and migrant advocacy, will lead 2.8 million Catholics in New York, succeeding Cardinal Dolan amid $300 million abuse settlement efforts.

  • Dec. 18, 2025 — the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV accepted Cardinal Timothy Dolan's resignation and named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks as leader of the Archdiocese of New York, serving 2.8 million Catholics.
  • Cardinal Timothy Dolan had offered his resignation after turning 75 in February, as required by church law, but his earlier letter to Pope Francis was not acted on before the pope's death.
  • Hicks, 58, has led the Diocese of Joliet since 2020 and oversaw about 520,000 Catholics, with Latin American mission experience in El Salvador; The Rev. John Kartje praised him as `capable of administration at the highest levels`.
  • Cardinal Timothy Dolan will remain administrator until Bishop Ronald A. Hicks' installation on Feb. 6 at St. Patrick's Cathedral, while the archdiocese manages a $300 million fund and mediation involving 1,300 alleged survivors.
  • Observers say the appointment signals Pope Leo XIV's desire to press a firmer stance on U.S. policy and human-rights issues and highlights Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago's influence in U.S. Catholic Church leadership.
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Like Leo XIV, Ronald Hicks of Chicago will replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a Trump supporter who was accused of covering up a pedophile scandal in his former diocese.

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Lohud broke the news in New York, United States on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
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