Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Aymond; Succeeded by Archbishop Checchio

POPE LEO XIV ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF ARCHBISHOP GREGORY AYMOND, 
ARCHBISHOP CHECCHIO ASSUMES ROLE AS ARCHBISHOP OF NEW ORLEANS
 
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, it was announced that Pope Leo XIV formally accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans formally making Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, the 15^th Archbishop of New Orleans.
 
This announcement marks the formal retirement of Archbishop Aymond, who, at 76 years old, has served in his role as Archbishop of New Orleans for one year past the mandatory retirement age for bishops. Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Checchio Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans on September 24, 2025. He was formally welcomed by the local Church with a Mass of Welcome on November 18, 2025.
 
Since arriving in the area, Archbishop Checchio has spent time visiting parishes, schools and ministries around the archdiocese to meet the people and become more familiar with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He has embraced the local culture by celebrating the Christmas season with Mass at a local parish and caroling in Jackson Square, attending Saints games, and even riding on a float in the Sugar Bowl parade and watching a Mardi Gras parade.
 
“These three months since my arrival in New Orleans have gone by very quickly as I learn more about our local Church and seek to understand how God is calling me to best serve this beautiful part of His vineyard,” said Archbishop Checchio. “It is fascinating that the faith has been so active here in Southeastern Louisiana for so long! The contributions of the many priests, religious men and women and the lay faithful over the years are a testament to the interconnectedness of faith in public life in our Archdiocese of New Orleans - something within which we should take great pride.”
 
As the universal Church observes the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent, the Archdiocese of New Orleans begins a new chapter as Archbishop Checchio will celebrate his first Mass at St. Louis Cathedral as Archbishop of New Orleans at 12 noon on Ash Wednesday, February 18. During that Mass, he will be seated in the cathedra, the chair of the archbishop, for the first time, which is a symbol of his teaching authority. All are welcome to attend the Mass, and it will be televised live on WLAE and livestreamed at thedailymass.com.