Watch New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks' installment Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Archbishop Ronald Hicks was officially installed by the Archdiocese of New York on Friday in New York City, marking a new era for Catholics in the region after Pope Leo XIV selected him to succeed retiring Timothy Cardinal Dolan. 

The installation Mass was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, where Hicks knocked on the massive bronze front doors and Dolan welcomed him inside, marking the beginning of the official transfer of leadership to the 11th Archbishop of New York. 

CBS News New York streamed special coverage of Hicks' installation, including the full Mass, which you can watch in the player on this page or on YouTube by clicking here.

Hicks, an Illinois native, made his first remarks as New York's archbishop in Spanish, which he speaks fluently after spending years as a missionary in El Salvador. In English, he then spoke about his love for music and used lines from famous songs about New York to express his first impressions of life in the city. 

"While Chicago will always be my kind of town, here and now are my feelings about New York based on the following songs, done with just a little bit of creative editing to some of the lyrics," Hicks, 58, said.

"Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood, I'm in a New York state of mind. Concrete jungles where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York," he continued. "I happen to like New York, I happen to love this town. So, start spreading the news. I'm starting today. I want to be a part of it. New York, New York." 

Hicks then promised to lead "a missionary church, not a country club." 

"A club exists to serve its members. The church exists on the other hand to go out and serve all people," he said. "This is not a criticism. It's simply an invitation to constantly renew who we are and to rediscover why the church exists. We exist to follow Jesus, who fed the hungry, healed those ill in body, in spirit, rejected hatred and proclaimed love. Pope Leo XIV has been clear and consistent about this." 

A vespers ceremony was held Thursday night, which included psalms, hymns, scriptures and prayers. This gave clergy and religious people a way to pray for the new archbishop and the diocese.     

Installation Mass full of symbolism

The larger-than-normal Mass featured many important symbols. 

Hicks was formally appointed as the Apostolic Letter, an official document from Pope Leo XIV, was read by Cardinal Christophe Pierre.

Before Pierre read the letter, he expressed gratitude for Dolan's years of service to the Archdiocese of New York, followed by a standing ovation for Hicks' predecessor. The congregation also sang "Happy Birthday" to Dolan, who turned 76 today. 

"His voice has been a strong and joyful witness to the gospel both here in New York and far beyond it. On behalf of the Holy Father, I express sincere thanks for these years of faithful ministry and for the love he has shown to the people entrusted to his care," Pierre said. 

After the pope's heartfelt letter was read, Hicks took his spot at the cathedra, the bishop's chair, symbolizing his new authority over the archdiocese, which took place at 2:25 p.m.

"With faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and with the love of God in my heart, I accept the mandate of the Roman Pontiff for the pastoral care of the people of God in the Archdiocese of New York. I resolve to serve faithfully the spiritual needs of this particular church," Hicks said. 

In Spanish, he told people to walk together as brothers and sisters, and called for the community to be a church of the people.

New Archbishop thanks Cardinal Dolan

Two thousand people attended the Mass, including numerous religious figures such as bishops, priests and deacons. In addition to Dolan and Pierre, Cardinals Joseph Tobin, Blase Cupich and Seán Patrick O'Malley were inside the cathedral. 

Hicks thanked each of the cardinals in his remarks. 

"To Cardinal Dolan, thank you for your magnanimous leadership here for 17 years. In a particular way, I want to thank you for your gracious support of me, both personally and publicly," he said.

Dolan, who will remain in New York, was archbishop since April 2009 and made a cardinal in 2012. He hosted a visit from Pope Francis in 2015 and over the years became a force in the city's religious and civic life.   

Dolan's brother said the cardinal has been touched by the outpouring of love. 

"He's made many, many real, real friends, true relationships, and he loves so many people here. I'm sure it meant a lot to him," Pat Dolan said. 

Some of Hicks' family members also attended. His brother, sister-in-law, cousin and her husband brought up the gifts at Mass, after his oldest nephew read at the vespers ceremony. 

"Leading the archdiocese involves real complexities, serious challenges and, at the same time, an abundance of joy, goodness and blessings," Hicks said. 

Numerous scriptures, psalms and gospels were read throughout the Mass, and the Holy Communion was given, like a typical Mass. The archbishop also said the ceremony would feature readings in Spanish because it's important to include the Latino community. 

At a news conference Thursday, Hicks said there would also be representatives from other faith traditions, "plus we'll have people from government, business, labor, service, education, first responders, the arts."

What's on the agenda for Archbishop Hicks

 One of Hicks' critical first tasks as archbishop will be overseeing the implementation of a $300 million settlement that Dolan finalized to compensate sex abuse victims who sued the church.

Hicks will also have to navigate relations with the Trump administration and its immigration crackdown. This is a topic he has not shied away from.

"My message is, how do we treat each other with respect? How simply do we see each other as brothers and sisters? And. And use that as a foundation for everything else," he said. 

The archbishop is CEO of an entity that spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year on ministry, schools and social services.   

"I think he made it clear the love he has for us, everyone, immigrants, people from New York, people from the world," said J. Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities.   

Hicks will also try to boost seminary enrollment. 

He brings significant experience as a top administrator in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is in his 31st year as a priest and spent the last five leading the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.  

Hicks' ties to Pope Leo XIV

Hicks grew up in suburban Chicago, just 14 blocks away from Pope Leo's childhood home.

Besides their shared roots, both men speak fluent Spanish and ministered to the poor in South America.

"They come from almost the same neighborhood in suburban Chicago, and they spent those years as missionaries in Latin America. It gave them a whole new perspective, a shared perspective on what the church needs to do," said Fordham University's David Gibson. 

Hicks lived in El Salvador for five years, starting in 2005, working as a regional director of an organization caring for orphaned and abandoned children.