In one of the most anticipated U.S. episcopal appointments of his pontificate so far, Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and named as his successor Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. The resignation and appointment were announced by the Vatican on Dec. 18.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan never backed down from a political scrap, but was quick with a kind word and a sympathetic ear — and even kept a list of people he prayed for. At 75, the retiring leader of the Archdiocese of New York leaves behind a legacy of both compassion and a firm resolve to fight for the teachings of the Catholic Church,

Cardinal Dolan, Bishop Hicks hold press conference at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Pope Leo XIV is expected to name Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, to succeed retiring Timothy Cardinal Dolan as archbishop of New York, sources briefed on the transition say. The Village of Oswego has passed an ordinance requiring protective barriers after a 2-year-old boy was killed and 13 others were hurt when a car crashed a Portillo's earlier this summer.