Pope Francis taught all by the way he lived and died, NY Cardinal says
“The way he lived and the way he died, he was a great teacher,” New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan says of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.
Reuters
Cardinal Timothy Dolan is expected to step down as archbishop of New York after reaching the Catholic Church’s mandatory retirement age, with reports indicating the Vatican could announce his successor in the coming days.
Dolan turned 75 in February 2025, the age at which Catholic bishops and archbishops are required under church law to submit their resignation to the pope. He submitted his request earlier this year, in line with Canon 401 §1, which allows the pope to accept a resignation immediately or delay the decision.
A source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that there are “rumblings that this week Pope Leo will accept Cardinal Dolan’s resignation and appoint Bishop Ron Hicks to replace him,” while noting it would be unusual to replace a popular cardinal immediately before Christmas.
Dolan has led the Archdiocese of New York since 2009, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI after serving as archbishop of Milwaukee. During his tenure, he became one of the most prominent Catholic leaders in the United States, known for his media presence and outspoken role on national cultural and political issues.
Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Dolan, according to multiple reports. Hicks has served as bishop of Joliet, Illinois, since his appointment by Pope Francis in 2020. Born in Harvey, Illinois, and raised in South Holland, Hicks has built a reputation as a steady administrator with Midwestern roots.
If appointed, Hicks would assume leadership of the Archdiocese of New York, the second-largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States, overseeing millions of Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and several suburban counties.
The Vatican does not typically comment on episcopal appointments until they are formally announced, and no official confirmation has been issued. Still, several reports suggest the transition could occur before the end of the year, marking a significant leadership change for New York’s Catholic community just ahead of the holiday season.
