Pope Francis has appointed new pastoral leadership in two U.S. archdioceses and two U.S. dioceses.

Bishops, including archbishops, must submit their resignations to the pope upon reaching their 75th birthday. The pope then uses his discretion whether to accept the resignation and, for those who hold pastoral office, appoint new leadership.

On February 11, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, 76, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Detroit and appointed Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Tucson as Archbishop of that Metropolitan See and Superior of the Mission sui juris of the Cayman Islands.

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, 76, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He has appointed Bishop Robert G. Casey, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, as his successor.

Also on February 12, Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Richard F. Reidy as Bishop of Norwich. Bishop-elect Reidy is a priest of the Diocese of Worcester and currently serves as the diocese’s Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Bishop Michael R. Cote resigned in September 2024.

Lastly, on February 12, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Ralph Walker Nickless, 77, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Sioux City and appointed Reverend John E. Keehner, Jr. as Bishop-elect of Sioux City. Bishop-elect Keehner is a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown and currently serves as pastor of four parishes in Ashtabula County, Ohio: Our Lady Queen of Peace in Ashtabula, Corpus Christi in Conneaut, Saint Andrew Bobola in Kingsville, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Geneva.