BREAKING: Vatican sends Trump’s favorite Cardinal packing as Pope Leo cleans house.
In a move that sent shockwaves through both the Catholic Church and MAGA world, Pope Leo has officially shown Cardinal Timothy Dolan the door—replacing Donald Trump’s favorite cleric with a far quieter, far less political bishop from Illinois.
Yes, that Cardinal Dolan. The Fox News regular. The inauguration prayer guy. The culture-war crusader who once called slain MAGA commentator Charlie Kirk a “modern-day Saint Paul.” That Dolan is now out as head of New York’s powerful Catholic archdiocese, after Pope Leo accepted his resignation and tapped Bishop Ronald Hicks to take his place.
And the message from Rome couldn’t be clearer: the Trump-aligned, red-meat brand of American Catholic politics is officially out of favor.
Dolan, long seen as a reliable spiritual cheerleader for Trumpism, was so beloved by the former reality-TV president that Trump once floated Dolan as a potential pope—and even mused about nominating himself for the job. But Pope Leo, the first American pope in history, apparently had other ideas.
Enter Bishop Ronald Hicks: 58, low-profile, media-averse, and blessedly uninterested in cable-news culture wars. Hicks, who grew up near Pope Leo in Chicago’s south suburbs and shares a background in missionary work, represents a sharp pivot away from Dolan’s performative politics.
The shake-up comes as Pope Leo has increasingly clashed with Trump’s agenda, condemning his “inhuman” immigration policies and urging him to back away from reckless saber-rattling over Venezuela. In other words, the Vatican is done pretending Trumpism and Christian compassion are compatible.
Experts say the move is no accident. Dolan didn’t just retire—he was replaced.
“This is a sign of change,” said one church scholar, noting that Hicks is far less likely to justify or excuse Trump’s behavior. While not a liberal firebrand, Hicks has made clear he wants a church focused on unity, healing, and cooperation—concepts that don’t exactly poll well on Truth Social.
Dolan’s resignation was technically routine—bishops submit them at 75—but popes don’t have to accept them. Pope Leo did. Immediately.
Bishop Hicks will be installed as New York’s new archbishop on February 6, marking the end of an era where MAGA politics enjoyed a privileged seat in America’s largest pulpit.
In short, Trump lost another ally, the Vatican reclaimed the moral high ground, and the culture-war cardinal just got benched by the pope.
Please like and share to thank Pope Leo for the welcome change!
Spoke with police on the march. They are so upset that Suella Braverman has made this stand against them. They support their Commissioner. They know that these are not “hate marches”, and said so. Never again should the government try to use the police as their own state army.
For trying to do this Braverman and Sunak must go, along with a retinue of revolting right wing Conservatives. This is an opportunity to empty them out of the party. Sadly, so few decent Party members left to do this and take their places!
Please have a look at Gina Miller’s ‘True and Fair Party’. There is kindness and integrity out there #ArmisticeDay #wedeservebetter @VoteTrueAndFair@thatginamiller.
I could never understand how Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty could stand there beside Johnson and Hancock as they lied to us day after day.
Jonathan Van-tam was the only adviser who dared speak out.
Free NHS prescriptions & dental care 'could be cut' under Universal Credit sanction plan.
The less well-off in England will be deprived of medicines & dental care. Need to choose eating, heating or health.
All so that govt can hand tax cuts for the rich.
https://t.co/CndjGq8105
Sunak didn’t just cancel HS2…
He authorised the sale of the land that would form part of the cancelled route
So no other leader could reverse his decision.
This major decision
One he took unilaterally
Without consulting parliament
…without anyone having voted for him.
@ernpup@Rievaulx_pup Have a wonderful time in our lovely city. Doddington Hall has a dog friendly cafe and some good walks. Also https://t.co/LAdOgtAWYM