Pope Leo XIV has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks to be the new leader of the Catholic Church in New York. This is a very important move. New York is one of the most famous and powerful Catholic areas in the world. Hicks is 58 years old. He is replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is retiring. This change happens at a time when the Catholic Church and President Trump’s government disagree a lot about immigration rules.
Many people think the Pope chose Hicks to show that the Church will keep fighting for the rights of immigrants. The Pope was born in America and wants leaders who focus on helping people and being fair. By putting Hicks in New York, the Pope is showing that the Church cares more about helping migrants than about strict border rules.
A Strategic Alignment: Pope Leo XIV and Ronald Hicks
The Pope and Bishop Hicks have a special connection. They both grew up in the Chicago area. They went to the same parks and ate at the same pizza shops when they were younger. Because of this, they share the same ideas. They both believe in “building bridges” to connect people instead of building walls to keep them out.
Ronald Hicks was born in 1967 in Illinois. He has worked in many different places. He lived in El Salvador for five years to run an orphanage for children. Because he lived in Central America, he understands why people leave their homes to come to the U.S. He agrees with the Pope that some U.S. immigration rules are “inhuman” and do not respect people.
The Shift from Cardinal Dolan’s Tenure
Cardinal Timothy Dolan led the New York Church for 16 years. He was known for being friendly and talking to many politicians, including Donald Trump. Dolan was more traditional and conservative. Now that he is 75 years old and retiring, the Church is moving to a new kind of leader.
Dolan often talked about religious freedom. However, Bishop Hicks focuses more on helping the community and following Church teachings about social justice. This means the New York Church will likely become more progressive. They will focus more on protecting people who do not have legal papers and making the Church a safe place for them.
Immigration: The Central Battleground
The timing of this choice is very important. Right now, many immigrants in the U.S. are afraid because the Trump administration is doing more raids and deportations. In late 2025, Hicks spoke out against these raids. He asked for new laws that are more helpful to immigrants.
As the leader of New York, Hicks will speak for 2.5 million Catholics. His voice will be very loud and important in the U.S. People expect him to use his power to fight against rules that separate families. He believes that every person has dignity, no matter what country they are from.
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Addressing Internal Challenges and Future Goals
Hicks has other big jobs to do besides politics. He must lead the New York Church through a time of change. He has to manage a $300 million fund to help people who were hurt by priests in the past. Hicks promised to be honest and to make sure the Church is a safe place for children.
Hicks will officially start his new job in early 2026 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. His work will show how much influence the Catholic Church still has in America. He plans to grow social programs and help poor people. He will talk to government leaders in a way that is “firm but respectful” to change how faith and politics work together in New York
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