Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the senior Catholic leader in London and across England and Wales.
The announcement came on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Moth, 67, takes over from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who retired the same day upon reaching the mandatory age of 80.
Nichols led the archdiocese for 16 years and now holds the title of Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster.
Moth has served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015 and previously as Bishop of the Forces from 2009 to 2015.
He is known for his advocacy on social justice issues, prison reform, and community outreach, and currently chairs the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
In his first statement as archbishop-elect, Moth said he was
“moved greatly by the trust that Pope Leo has placed in me” and paid tribute to his predecessor: “I am grateful for the support of Cardinal Vincent Nichols. He has given dedicated service to the diocese and will be missed greatly.”
Reflecting on his decade in Arundel and Brighton, Moth described it as
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“a wonderful opportunity to share the Church’s mission with clergy and lay faithful” and pledged to prioritize engagement with Westminster’s priests and parishioners: “I look forward to continuing the great adventure of the Church and witnessing the Gospel alongside them.”
Moth’s installation is set for February 14, 2026, at Westminster Cathedral, where he will formally take up the archdiocese’s leadership.
The appointment comes amid signs of rising Catholic engagement among younger worshippers in England and Wales and follows renewed Vatican efforts to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and successor to Pope Francis, has emphasised experienced pastoral leadership in key Church roles.
His choice of Moth, noted for pastoral care and social advocacy, reflects that approach.