Pope Leo XIV has officially accepted the resignation of Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, who served until age 76, one year past the mandatory retirement age. The Pope appointed Coadjutor Archbishop James F. Checchio as the new Archbishop, making him the 15th leader of the archdiocese. Checchio, 59, previously served as Bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey, since 2016, and arrived in New Orleans last fall to prepare for his new role. Since his arrival, he has engaged with the community through various activities, including celebrating Mass, attending local events, and participating in the region’s traditions. Checchio's first Mass as Archbishop will be held at St. Louis Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, where he will sit in the archbishop’s chair for the first time. The archdiocese covers 4,208 square miles in southeastern Louisiana and has a community of over 500,000 Catholics. Checchio has been involved in the archdiocese’s bankruptcy case, testifying in court and working to address clergy sexual abuse, which led to a $230 million settlement. His background includes studies in philosophy, business administration, and canon law, and roles such as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome and treasurer of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.