Pope Leo appointed Bishop Aldon Ronald Hicks, who, like the pope, is from Chicago and has served in Latin America, as the next archbishop of New York.
Bishop Hicks, 58, will lead one of the Roman Catholic Church's most populous and important posts in the United States.
He will replace retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan, 75, who was seen as a conservative with close ties to President Donald Trump. Hicks said he accepted his appointment, announced Thursday, “with an open heart,” while Dolan called it an “early Christmas gift” for New Yorkers.
Last month, Hicks joined other bishops to denounce the Trump administration's large-scale immigration-related arrests as part of a mass deportation program.
Hicks's early life and pastoral career closely mirror that of Pope Leo. He grew up in South Holland, near Leo's hometown of Dolton, in the Chicago suburbs.
While Pope Leo spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, Hicks worked at an orphanage in El Salvador from 2005 to 2010, according to a biography published by the Archdiocese of New York. Hicks was appointed Bishop of Joliette by Pope Francis in 2020.
Like Pope, Hicks was vocal about his concerns about immigrants.
“This letter, deeply rooted in our evangelical tradition of loving our neighbor, reaffirms our solidarity with all our brothers and sisters as it clearly and forcefully expresses our concerns, opposition and hopes,” he said in response to a joint letter written by the U.S. bishops expressing concern about the situation facing immigrants in the United States.
“It is based on the Church’s enduring commitment to Catholic social teaching on human dignity and the call for meaningful immigration reform,” he said.
The Trump administration has carried out large-scale arrests of immigrants in the Chicago area, leading to clashes between federal agents and residents protesting their presence.
The bishops' letter comes as churches grapple with how to respond to immigration activities that affect their members.
Most people at risk of deportation are Christian, with 61% of those at risk being Catholic, according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Now Hicks will leave his post as bishop of Joliet for the ornate sanctuary of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, where he will lead the 2.5 million Catholics in the nation's largest city. It will be officially installed in the cathedral on February 6, 2026.
His appointment comes a week after Cardinal Dolan, who served in New York for about 16 years, announced that the archdiocese would create a $300 million fund to settle clergy sex abuse claims.
“As a church, we can never stop in our efforts to prevent violence, protect children and care for survivors,” the new archbishop said at a news conference.
“While this work is difficult, challenging and painful, I hope it continues to help in the areas of accountability, transparency and healing.”
Cardinal Dolan of Missouri announced his retirement in February, as required by church law when bishops reach 75 years of age. In 2009, he was appointed head of the church in New York by Pope Benedict XVI, who later made him a cardinal.
He participated in two conclaves: one that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and a second that elected Leo XIV last May.
The cardinal led prayers at both of Trump's inaugurations and was appointed by the president to the new Commission on Religious Freedom earlier this year.
