Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks will become the new leader of the New York Archdiocese Friday.

There’s an installation mass scheduled for Friday afternoon.

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The transition happens at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Cardinal Timothy Dolan officially hands over leadership of the archdiocese to Joliet’s Ronald Hicks, here at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

Security continues to be tight, with police guarding the entrance of the cathedral and allowing only those with tickets to enter. Streets are also blocked off adding an extra obstacle for the always congested streets around Midtown Manhattan.

The atmosphere inside the cathedral was joyful Friday night. With Dolan and Hicks presiding over a Vespers Mass, Hicks led the service in both English and Spanish.

SEE ALSO | Joliet Diocese holds special Mass, bids farewell to New York Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks

He said it’s important to him that he connect with all of New York’s 2.5 million Catholics, 1 million among them, Latino from many different countries in South and Central America.

He said the weight of his new role and responsibilities is not one that he will carry alone. And pointed to the Atlas statue across the street for his reason why.

“On one side of the street, Atlas shows us when we try to carry everything on our own. On this side, in the church, Christ invites us to place our trust in him…with all of our hopes, all of our wounds, all of our future Into the hands of Jesus,” Bishop Hicks said.

Friday, Hicks will knock on the door of St. Pat’s three times and Dolan will welcome him in. The carpet around the archbishop’s throne will have changed from red – signifying Dolan’s rank as Cardinal, to green, marking Hicks’ status as archbishop.

SEE ALSO | Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks named by Pope Leo to lead New York Archdiocese

Hicks quipped Friday night that many have asked him whether he is happy, excited, scared, overwhelmed at this massive new responsibility. Yes, he said. All of it. But we also know that Hicks has carried a lot of responsibility in his roles with the Chicago and Joliet dioceses.

He said in the days leading up to Friday’s installation ceremony that with every rise through the ranks he has tried to look for opportunities to say yes when he is called upon. Yes to being of service. And yes to God.