During the Mass on June 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV conferred the pallium on the 35 metropolitan archbishops who had been appointed the previous year.
Of these archbishops, four hail from the United States: Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York, Archbishop James Golka of Denver, Archbishop James Checchio of New Orleans, and Archbishop Mark Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama.
Hundreds of pilgrims were part of delegations accompanying the new archbishops. The pilgrims described the experience as historic, witnessing the first American pope, Leo XIV, bestow the pallium, and expressed their hope that their new shepherds would bring youthful energy to the faithful they now serve.
A ‘Surreal’ Experience Full of Emotion
After the pallium Mass, the new archbishops attended a reception at the Pontifical North American College (PNAC), which has trained American seminarians for the priesthood since 1859.
Archbishop Golka, appointed to Denver in February, described receiving the pallium as a profoundly emotional experience.
“To hear him [Pope Leo] say, ‘Peace be with you’ in English. And then I greeted him back, ‘And with your spirit.’ And then I said, ‘I pray for you every day.’ And he said, ‘Thank
