There was a warm welcome at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday, after Pope Leo XIV named Bishop Ronald Hicks, of Illinois, as the next archbishop of New York.

In a news conference, Hicks had hope for his new home.

“I want people to grow in their faith,” said Hicks. “I want them to grow in what they know about God and the Church, how they love God; and then how they serve others, how they put their faith into action and that they do it together.”

The archbishop-designate currently serves the Diocese of Jolliet.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago 31 years ago and later spent several years serving in Latin America.

Hicks grew up just 14 blocks away from the pope in the south suburbs of Chicago.

“I’m a Cubs fan and I love deep-dish pizza,” said Hicks to a round of laughter.

Hicks also addressed issues including the need for strong borders with support for immigrants, as well as the archdiocese’s agreement to pay survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

“While this work is challenging, it’s difficult, it’s painful; I hope it will continue to help in the areas of accountability, transparency and healing,” said Hicks.

“There’s been a framework that’s been agreed upon and there have been steps made that should give Bishop Hicks the chance to start fresh with some of these issues,” said Kevin Ahern, a professor and chairman of the Religion and Philosophy Department at Manhattan University. “But, likely, some difficult decisions will have to be made.”

Hicks, 58, succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has served New York since 2009.

Dolan, 75, reached the Church’s mandatory retirement age in February, and per church law, he was required to submit a letter of resignation to the Vatican.

However, it is up to the pope to decide when to accept the letter and appoint a successor.

“Being an archbishop from New York, there’s a lot of eyes on you,” said Ahern. “He’ll have to go to be not just a local figure but a national figure. It’s a global capital with the United Nations here, with Wall Street here, with lots of media outlets. So, it’s a very important position.”

Catholics who were attending Thursday afternoon Mass in the Bronx told News 12 what they want to see in their new archbishop.

“That he can encourage more people to go to Mass,” said Lynn Nakimera-Mahner, of Parkchester.

“Do as good for as many organizations and people as possible,” said Kathy Angrisani, of Parkchester.

Hicks will be installed as the new archbishop during a special Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Feb. 6, 2026.