Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Pope Leo Names New Archbishop of Westminster
Pope Leo has chosen Bishop Richard Moth to be the new Archbishop of Westminster.
This is a very important job in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Bishop Moth is 67 years old and was born in Zambia but moved to England when he was young.
He has worked as a bishop before and has spoken about how prisons should be run.
He is taking over from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who had to retire because he turned 80.
This is a big change because more young people are becoming Catholic instead of Anglican.
It's also interesting because the King of England and the Pope prayed together this year, which hasn't happened in a very long time.
The Church of England also recently named its first female Archbishop, but the Catholic Church only has male priests.
Bishop Richard Moth, 67, named as the new Archbishop of Westminster by Pope Leo.
Moth replaces Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who turned 80, the mandatory retirement age for Catholic bishops.
Moth previously served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and has been outspoken on prison management.
Catholicism is growing among younger worshippers, with 41% of 18-34-year-olds identifying as Catholic compared to 20% Anglican.
The appointment comes amid warming ties between Rome and London, marked by King Charles and Pope Leo praying together in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.
- Who
- Bishop Richard Moth
- What
- Named as the new Archbishop of Westminster
- When
- December 19
- Where
- London/Vatican City
- Why
- To replace Cardinal Vincent Nichols who turned 80, the mandatory retirement age for Catholic bishops
- New Archbishop
- Bishop Richard Moth
- Age
- 67 years old
- Previous Role
- Bishop of Arundel and Brighton
- Replaced
- Cardinal Vincent Nichols
- Retirement Age for Bishops
- 80 years
- Catholic Churchgoers (18-34)
- 41%
- Anglican Churchgoers (18-34)
- 20%