The year 2025 marked a transformative period for the Archdiocese of New York, characterized by historic change, leadership transition, relocation, priestly ordinations, and an unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable. 

As the Jubilee Year of Hope began, on January 20, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, offered the first benediction at the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, as he had eight years earlier at the beginning of the president’s first term. 

Mourning Pope Francis and witnessing history 

The archdiocese joined Catholics and others worldwide in mourning Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, at age 88. Cardinal Timothy Dolan described the loss in emotional terms: “You feel like we’ve lost a father. There’s a communal sense of sorrow and loss, and well there should be.” He reflected on the Pope’s historic 2015 visit to New York and recounted how New Yorkers spontaneously expressed their grief. 

Cardinal Dolan then traveled to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and participated in the conclave that followed. The timing was extraordinary: a long-planned Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of New York was scheduled to depart just after Pope Francis’s death. Rather than cancel, the pilgrimage went ahead, placing the group in Rome for both the funeral and the historic conclave. The Good Newsroom‘s Lead Content Producer, Mary Shovlain, also went to Rome to provide live coverage. 

On May 8, the conclave elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. The Chicago native election became the first American pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history. In June, Cardinal Dolan shared personal reflections on the conclave at a sold-out event at the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, offering pilgrims and the broader Catholic community rare insights into the sacred process. 

Celebrating 175 years and a new home 

June saw the relocation of the Archdiocese of New York’s administrative offices to 488 Madison Avenue, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, after more than 50 years at the New York Catholic Center. July saw the archdiocese mark its 175th anniversary, having been elevated on July 19, 1850. 

Throughout the year, the Jubilee of Hope was observed at eight pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese, each with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Gerardo Colacicco to offer the faithful opportunities to experience the Jubilee and to obtain plenary indulgences. 

September saw the unveiling of the largest permanent artwork ever commissioned in St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s 146-year history. Cardinal Dolan and Brooklyn artist Adam Cvijanovic revealed a stunning 25-foot-high mural covering the entrance walls of the cathedral. Titled “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding,” the work depicts the Apparition at Knock in Ireland alongside New York saints, Servants of God, immigrants, and first responders. The artist emphasized that everyone in the painting is an actual person, including the angels, creating portraits that allow New Yorkers to feel recognized “in the context of respect and hope.” The mural includes a representation of Cardinal Dolan’s mother as a young girl and features prominent panels honoring police officers, firefighters, and first responders. 

A new archbishop for New York 

The year’s second major leadership transition came in mid-December when Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as the new Archbishop of New York. The announcement brought both celebration and bittersweet emotions as the archdiocese prepared to bid farewell to Cardinal Dolan, who served as archbishop for nearly 17 years. Archbishop-designate Hicks, also a Chicago-area native, made his first public appearance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on December 18, concelebrating Mass with Cardinal Dolan and archdiocesan staff. 

His installation is scheduled for February 6, 2026. In his first remarks, Hicks expressed his love for New York’s energy and the warm welcome he received. Notably, Hicks had met Pope Leo XIV in 2024 when the latter, still Cardinal Prevost, spoke at a parish in Joliet. The two discovered they grew up in the same Chicago area, “would have played baseball in the same parks, gone swimming in the same public pool,” and even shared a favorite pizza place. Cardinal Dolan, who will remain in the archdiocese as cardinal-emeritus, pledged his fidelity and full cooperation to his successor. 

New vocations and expanded charitable work 

At occasions in the spring, summer, and autumn, the archdiocese welcomed new priests, deacons, and women religious with multiple ordination and permanent vow ceremonies. On May 24, four men were ordained to the priesthood at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The ceremony was particularly emotional, with Cardinal Dolan kneeling before the newly ordained priests at the conclusion of Mass to receive their first blessing.  

On May 30, two transitional deacons were ordained as they continued their path toward the priesthood. June brought another significant ordination when five men were ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 21. Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen presided over the ceremony, which fell on the feast day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga and the 100th anniversary of the beatification of the North American Martyrs. 

Catholic Charities expanded its mission under new leadership. J. Antonio Fernandez became CEO on September 8, succeeding Monsignor Kevin Sullivan after nearly 25 years of service. Fernandez, the first layperson to lead the organization, brought experience from Catholic Charities in Chicago and San Antonio. A special Mass welcoming Fernandez was celebrated by Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on October 22. 

Strengthening parish life and outreach 

The archdiocese launched the Sharing God’s Gifts Pastoral Grants Program, reimagining the pastoral offices’ operations according to the principle of subsidiarity, encouraging parishes to develop faith formation and community engagement programs at the local level. Individual programs could receive between $2,500 and $35,000. 

The Good Newsroom took another step toward the archdiocese’s Spanish-speaking community on December 10, with the launch of Buenas Noticias, its Spanish-language vertical. The site directly addresses one of the archdiocese’s largest and fastest-growing groups. 

On December 18, Pope Leo accepted Cardinal Dolan’s resignation, submitted in February upon his 75th anniversary as required by canon law. The Pope named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet as his successor and Archbishop-designate. Archbishop-designate Hicks stated he wants “a Church that is thriving, that is growing, that is alive.” He will be installed on February 6, 2026. 

Following a year of significant change, the Archdiocese of New York remains ready to meet the challenges of a new year, faithful and ready to serve the more than 2 million Catholics who live within it.