Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of New York and has appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, until now Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois (United States), as his successor. The announcement was made on December 18, 2025.

The Archdiocese of New York, one of the most important and visible of the Catholic Church in the United States, with millions of faithful, thus welcomes a new pastor originally from Chicago, 58 years old, known for his close pastoral style and his experience in priestly formation and charitable work.

Biography of Ronald A. Hicks

Ronald Aldon Hicks was born on August 4, 1967, in Harvey, near Chicago, Illinois. He studied at Niles College Seminary and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago. He volunteered with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Foundation and completed his theological studies at Saint Mary of the Lake University and Mundelein Seminary in Illinois, where he later earned a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Ordained a priest on May 21, 1994, for the Archdiocese of Chicago, he served in various pastoral roles: parochial vicar in parishes such as Our Lady of Mercy (1994-1996) and Saint Elizabeth Seton (1996-1999); dean of formation at Saint Joseph College Seminary (1999-2005); regional director of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in Mexico and El Salvador (2005-2009); teacher and dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary (2010-2014); and vicar general of Chicago (2015-2020).

On July 3, 2018, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Chicago, receiving episcopal ordination on September 17 of that year. On July 17, 2020, he assumed the role of bishop of Joliet.

With this appointment, Hicks becomes the eleventh archbishop of New York, a position of great national importance that historically carries with it the elevation to cardinal. His installation is scheduled for February 2026.

Cardinal Dolan, archbishop since 2009, had submitted his mandatory resignation upon reaching the age of 75 in February 2025. This change represents one of the first major appointments of the pontificate of Leo XIV in the United States, highlighting a balanced pastoral profile focused on unity and accompaniment.