Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver; Appoints Bishop James Golka as Successor
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Denver, and has appointed Most Reverend James R. Golka, currently bishop of Colorado Springs, as his successor.
WASHINGTON – Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Denver, and has appointed Most Reverend James R. Golka, currently bishop of Colorado Springs, as his successor.
The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on February 7, 2026, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Golka’s biography may be found here.
The Archdiocese of Denver is comprised of 40,154 square miles in the State of Colorado.
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