Cardinal Dolan step down in New York: the Pope appoints Ronald A. Hicks as the new Archbishop

Press conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: the Vatican has chosen as his successor the current Bishop of Joliet, Illinois 

New York, December 18, 2025 – Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, upon turning 75, has resigned from the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese of New York, and the Vatican has formally accepted his resignation, appointing Ronald A. Hicks—currently the Bishop of Joliet, Illinois—as the new archbishop of one of the most influential dioceses in the United States. The announcement was followed by a press conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. 

The decision reflects standard Catholic Church practice: when bishops reach the age of 75, they submit their resignation letter, and it is up to the Pontiff to decide when to accept it.