Archbishop Ronald Hicks reflected on the weeks since he was told he would become archbishop of New York, and his first few weeks in his new position, in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published Sunday. 

Archbishop Hicks describes his unexpected call to lead the Archdiocese of New York, his warm welcome by the city’s people, and his mission to help Catholics deepen their faith and serve others. 

“I was happy serving as bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. But as I was about to begin an ordinary day of work, my phone rang, and on the other end was Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. After a warm greeting, he told me that Pope Leo XIV was appointing me archbishop of New York,” Archbishop Hicks wrote. 

The Chicago native is still settling in, following his installation at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on February 6. 

A Midwestern boy finds his New York welcome 

“Leaving meant stepping away from longtime friends and family. But one of the beautiful surprises for this Midwestern boy has been the warmth of the welcome I’ve received in New York. From the announcement in December through my installation on February 6 and every day since, I have experienced remarkable kindness,” the archbishop wrote. 

The archbishop recalled his love of Jesus, his love for the priesthood, and both the Church’s and his personal commitment to service, all themes he has emphasized since his first press conference on December 18, 2025. 

He looks forward to traveling to all parts of his new home territory. “I intend to visit and learn about this entire archdiocese. It is already my practice, whenever I have a little free time, to step outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and walk. I pay attention to the neighborhoods, the energy, the people, and their needs,” the archbishop wrote. 

“The Catholic Church engages the world and the mission with hope. With God’s grace, that is what I will do here in New York, one faithful step at a time,” Archbishop Hicks concluded. 

Read the full article here.