Denver Catholics Outline Priorities for New Archdiocese Leader

Bishop James R. Golka appointed as next Archbishop of Denver to succeed Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila

Feb. 8, 2026 at 6:31pm

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The Archdiocese of Denver, which serves over 600,000 Catholics in Colorado, will soon have a new leader after Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop James R. Golka as the next Archbishop of Denver. Archbishop-designate Golka, who is currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, will succeed Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, who is retiring after 14 years of service. During a press conference, Golka outlined his vision for leading Denver's Catholic community, emphasizing faithfulness over political labels and addressing issues like immigration.

Why it matters

The appointment of a new Archbishop of Denver is significant as the Archdiocese is the largest in Colorado, serving a large and diverse Catholic population. Golka's leadership and priorities will shape the direction of the Church in the region, impacting both spiritual and social issues important to local Catholics.

The details

Bishop James R. Golka, who is fluent in Spanish, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to succeed Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila as the leader of the Archdiocese of Denver. Aquila had submitted his request to retire upon turning 75 in September 2025, as required under canon law. During a press conference, Golka emphasized the importance of being a "happy, involved Catholic" and said he plans to focus on faithfulness rather than political labels. He also addressed immigration, stating that while countries have a right to secure their borders, Catholics have a duty of charity to help those in need.

  • Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop James R. Golka as the next Archbishop of Denver in 2026.
  • Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila submitted his request to retire to Pope Leo in September 2025 upon his 75th birthday.

The players

Bishop James R. Golka

The current Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, who was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to become the next Archbishop of Denver.

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila

The outgoing Archbishop of Denver, who is retiring after 14 years of service.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope who appointed Bishop Golka as the next Archbishop of Denver.

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What they’re saying

“The best thing we can do is to be a happy, involved Catholic, and others are going to see that light and want it. But if we're complaining, divisive, judgmental, nobody's going to want that.”

— Bishop James R. Golka, Archbishop-designate of Denver

“Some people see Pope Leo as a rupture from Pope Francis. And again, I think it's faithfulness, like God provides for the church what the church needs at the time. I'm going to trust that.”

— Bishop James R. Golka, Archbishop-designate of Denver

“Our faith teaches us some basic beginning points. Every country has a right to guard their border. Every people have a right to seek safer, better land if they're not receiving it in their homeland. And as Catholics, what is charity? If someone's at my door in need, I help them.”

— Bishop James R. Golka, Archbishop-designate of Denver

What’s next

Archbishop-designate Golka will be officially installed as the new Archbishop of Denver in a ceremony on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The appointment of Bishop Golka as the new Archbishop of Denver represents a significant transition for the Archdiocese, as he will be tasked with leading the region's large and diverse Catholic community while navigating complex social and political issues. His emphasis on faithfulness and unity over divisiveness suggests he aims to bring the Church together during a challenging time.