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Afternoon Briefing

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Pope Leo XIV made his most important U.S. appointment to date today, naming a fellow south suburbanite as the next archbishop of New York to lead one of the biggest U.S. archdioceses as it navigates relations with the Trump administration and its immigration crackdown. Ronald Hicks, the bishop of Joliet, will replace the retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent conservative figure in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.

During a news conference in New York this morning, Hicks noted he grew up in South Holland, which is right next to Dolton in the south suburbs.

“South Holland and Dolton might not mean anything to you, but Dolton is where our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, grew up and is from, and our houses are literally 14 blocks away from each other,” Hicks said.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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news
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