Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, officially appointing Most Reverend James F. Checchio as the new Archbishop of New Orleans. This transition comes as Aymond, 76, exceeded the Church’s mandatory retirement age for bishops by a year, according to a release from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Archbishop Checchio was previously named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans on September 24, 2025, and was welcomed during a Mass in November of the same year. In his short time since arriving in New Orleans, Checchio has been actively engaging with the community, visiting churches, schools, and ministries to connect with parishioners and church staff.
Reflecting on his experiences so far, Archbishop Checchio expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve, stating, “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.” He has embraced the rich local culture, participating in Christmas Mass, caroling in Jackson Square, attending Saints games, and experiencing both the Sugar Bowl and Mardi Gras parades.
Checchio emphasized the longstanding vitality of faith in Southeastern Louisiana, highlighting the significant contributions made by priests, religious men and women, and laypeople throughout the years. “The interconnectedness of faith in public life in our Archdiocese of New Orleans is something within which we should take great pride,” he remarked.
The new Archbishop is slated to celebrate his inaugural Mass at St. Louis Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, February 18, at noon. During this significant occasion, he will sit in the cathedra, symbolizing his teaching authority within the Archdiocese. This Mass will be open to the public, with coverage available on WLAE and streaming on thedailymass.com.
With his active engagement in the community and commitment to local traditions, Archbishop Checchio is well-poised to lead the Archdiocese of New Orleans into a new chapter of faith and service.