Ronald Hicks to be put in as eleventh archbishop of New York : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4140x2760+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2Fce%2Fc7d2ea624324925fcf236ae26ccf%2Fap26036592447000.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4140x2760+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2Fce%2Fc7d2ea624324925fcf236ae26ccf%2Fap26036592447000.jpg" class="img" alt="Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks laughs during a news conference at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026." fetchpriority="high"/> Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks laughs throughout a information convention at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Seth Wenig/AP disguise caption

toggle caption

Seth Wenig/AP Ronald Hicks is ready to be put in Friday because the eleventh archbishop of New York in a ceremony at a revered Manhattan church the place dignitaries and laypeople from all walks of life are anticipated to collect and rejoice.

Previewing the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral to reporters on Thursday, Hicks stated he'll speak about his imaginative and prescient for one of many largest archdioceses within the nation that serves roughly 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island in New York Metropolis, in addition to seven counties to the north. He additionally plans to incorporate loads of references to Pope Leo XI, and promote themes of gratitude and the mission of the church.

"I will speak nearly being a church who's made up of missionary disciples who wish to exit and make disciples, and in addition to go our religion on to the following generations," he stated. "I will speak about a church that builds bridges, goes out to the peripheries, engages the world and lives her mission – a missionary church."

Hicks, 58, who most not too long ago was bishop of Joliet, Illinois, stated attendees on the 2 p.m. ceremony will embody Catholic Church leaders and laity, and representatives from different faiths, authorities, enterprise, labor, training, the humanities and first responders.

"In different phrases, who's going to be there? Everybody. Everybody," he stated. "That is good as a result of New York is a spot the place the entire world lives and calls dwelling, and the Catholic Church is common, gathering and fascinating everybody. I am excited and I am humbled to be put in because the eleventh archbishop of the archdiocese of New York."

Hicks was chosen by Leo in December to interchange the retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a distinguished conservative determine within the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Dolan had submitted his resignation in February, as required when he turned 75.

The change in management represents a major new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church, which is forging a brand new period with the Chicago-born Leo as the primary American pope. Leo and the U.S. hierarchy have already proven willingness to problem the Trump administration on immigration and different points, and Hicks is seen as very a lot a Leo-style bishop.

"What I might love to do as archbishop is perceive that in politics, in authorities, there are going to be issues that we disagree on. However I might additionally like to ensure we take note of what are these issues we are able to work on collectively for the frequent good," stated Hicks, who is also from the Chicago space.