A source with direct knowledge of the archdiocese told Fox News Digital that Pope Leo XIV is expected to appoint Bishop Ronald (Ron) Hicks of Joliet as the next archbishop of New York, possibly as early as this week. The reported move would replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who submitted his mandatory resignation after turning 75 in February.
Pending, Unconfirmed Report
The report remains unconfirmed. If the pope accepts Cardinal Dolan's resignation and names Bishop Hicks, it would mark a significant leadership change for one of the most prominent Catholic sees in the world, notably coming just before the Christmas season.
Cardinal Dolan joined Maria Bartiromo for an exclusive interview at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City,
There are rumblings that this week Pope Leo will accept Cardinal Dolan’s resignation and appoint Bishop Ron Hicks to replace him, the source said.
Who Is Bishop Ronald Hicks?
Bishop Hicks, 58, was born in Harvey, Illinois, and raised in South Holland. He was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Joliet by Pope Francis in 2020. Observers have pointed to Hicks’s Midwestern background and ties to the Chicago area — where Pope Leo XIV spent part of his youth — as factors that could strengthen his candidacy.
Shortly after Pope Leo’s election in 2024, Hicks described the new pontiff as relatable, telling WGN-TV, "He’s a normal guy from a normal neighborhood we grew up in."
Challenges Facing the Archdiocese
If confirmed, the incoming archbishop would inherit a diocese confronting substantial legal and financial difficulties. The Archdiocese of New York is facing more than 1,300 clergy sexual-abuse claims and needs roughly $300 million to fund settlements, according to reports. To meet those obligations the archdiocese has enacted layoffs, reduced its operating budget by about 10%, and begun selling major properties.
Pope Leo XIV boards a plane to Ankara at Rome's Fiumicino international airport, Italy, on November 27, 2025.
- Announced sale of the land under the Lotte New York Palace Hotel for $490 million.
- Expected proceeds of about $100 million from the sale of the former headquarters at 1011 First Avenue.
On Dec. 9 the archdiocese confirmed it would provide compensation to victims, local reports said.
Local Reaction and Next Steps
Rob Astorino, a Westchester County executive with ties to the New York archdiocese, posted on X reporting strong rumors that Pope Leo had accepted Cardinal Dolan’s resignation and would appoint Bishop Hicks. Fox News Digital has contacted both the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Joliet for comment; no official announcement had been made at the time of the report.
The timing — potentially announcing a replacement so close to Christmas — was described by the source as unexpected and, to some, surprising given Cardinal Dolan's long-standing visibility and popularity in the archdiocese.
