Pope Leo XIV appointed Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster, replacing Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has retired.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Richard Moth on Friday as the Archbishop of Westminster, the leader of the Catholic Church in London and a prominent figure of Catholicism in England and Wales. Moth, at 67 years old, replaces Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who held the position for 16 years and has turned 80, the retirement age for Catholic bishops. Moth, born in Zambia and raised in England, has been the leader of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton since 2015 and has had previous responsibilities within the ranks of the British armed forces.

His appointment comes in a context of increasing numbers of young Catholics, and Moth will be officially installed on February 14. He has also recently discussed social justice issues with Sarah Mullally, the future Archbishop of Canterbury, highlighting his commitment to the ecumenical sphere. This appointment follows a recent joint prayer between King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV, marking a rapprochement between Rome and London.