02/11/2026
As we welcome Archbishop James Checchio to our beautiful city, we thank Archbishop Gregory Aymond for his leadership and love of our beautiful community✨✝️✨.
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 15th Archbishop of New Orleans.
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 inter-connectedness of faith in public life in our Archdiocese of New Orleans - something within which we should take great pride.”
Read the full announcement in the link below.