Pope Names Champion of Labor Rights as New York Archbishop

In his most significant US episcopal appointment to date, Pope Leo XIV is returning to his Chicago roots by selecting a prelate with a similar background as the next archbishop of New York, Jonathan Liedl reported for EWTN News.

Bishop Hicks is known for championing the rights of workers and immigrants. (Photo: Catholic Conference of Illinois)

The pope has chosen Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, the current ordinary of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, and a fellow native of Chicago’s south suburbs. Hicks’ impending appointment was first reported by Spanish outlet Religión Digital, and EWTN News confirmed it with two independent sources familiar with the matter.

An official Vatican announcement is expected soon.

Bishop Hicks is known for championing the rights of workers and immigrants.

Born in 1967, just 12 years after Pope Leo, Hicks grew up in South Holland, Illinois, adjacent to the pope’s hometown of Dolton. “I recognize a lot of similarities between him and me,” Hicks told Chicago media following Pope Leo’s election on May 8.

“We grew up literally in the same radius, in the same neighborhood. We played in the same parks, went swimming in the same pools, liked the same pizza places — it’s that real.”