Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and is believed to be the successor of Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. The Pope is responsible for appointing archbishops and other bishops, who govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses. Archbishops are bishops of main or metropolitan dioceses, also called archdioceses. As of 2025, there are 45 archbishops in the United States, with 290 active bishops and 194 head dioceses. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USCCB consists of all active and retired bishops, including diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary bishops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of active and retired (arch)bishops in the United States | 439 |
| Number of active bishops in the United States | 290 |
| Number of archbishops in the United States | 45 |
| Number of Latin Church dioceses in the United States | 176 |
| Number of Cardinals in the United States | 4 |
| Number of active foreign-born bishops serving in the United States | 38 |
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What You'll Learn
What is a Catholic Archbishop and what is their role?
In Christian denominations, a Catholic Archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdiocese or are otherwise granted a titular archbishopric. The term "archbishop" first appeared in the 6th century, although the role was established for metropolitans by the 5th century.
Archbishops are appointed by the Pope and serve as papal electors. They are also responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders. Catholics trace the origins of the office of bishop to the apostles, who it is believed were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
In the Latin Church, metropolitans are always archbishops, while in many Eastern churches, the title is "Metropolitan", with some of these churches using archbishop as a separate office. All Catholic metropolitans are archbishops, but not all archbishops are metropolitans. In addition, some writers argue that Sts. Timothy and Titus, the disciples of St. Paul, were the first archbishops in the Church, but they were likely metropolitans in the wider sense of the term.
Archbishops are typically addressed as "Your Excellency" or "Your Grace", while bishops are addressed as "My Lord" or "Your Lordship". In liturgical ceremonies, Roman Catholic metropolitan archbishops are distinguished by the use of the pallium, a liturgical vestment.
As of 1906, there were 164 archbishops with provinces, 37 with only their diocese but no province, and 89 purely titular archbishops in the Catholic Church. In the United States, there are 439 active and retired archbishops.
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How many Catholic Archbishops are there in the US?
The Catholic Church in the United States comprises 176 or 177 Latin-rite dioceses and 17 Eastern Catholic eparchies led by bishops or eparchs, plus the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Dioceses led by archbishops are called archdioceses. There are 32 Latin-rite and two Eastern Catholic archbishops who serve as metropolitan archbishops of their respective Latin-rite ecclesiastical provinces or Eastern Catholic metropoliae. One archbishop—that of the Archdiocese for the Military Services—is not a metropolitan. As of August 2009, five of these metropolitans are cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USCCB includes all active and retired bishops—diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary—in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are 439 or 441 active and retired (arch)bishops in the United States. Of these, 273 are active bishops, including six cardinals, 29 archbishops, 162 diocesan bishops, and 76 auxiliary bishops.
The Archdioceses and Dioceses of the United States are divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region for the purposes of USCCB proceedings. These regions typically include two or more Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. The Eastern Catholic Churches have their own distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems and are identified by the national or ethnic character of their region of origin. Each is considered fully equal to the Latin tradition within the Church in the United States.
The Eparchies and Archeparchies have jurisdiction over large swaths of the United States (and Canada) based on the breadth of each individual Church. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is the only American archdiocese that is not designated as a metropolitan archdiocese. The pope appoints all archbishops and bishops, who must be at least ordained priests. The pope chooses from a list of candidates provided by the papal nuncio of the United States to the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome.
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How many Catholic Archbishops are Cardinals?
A cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen by the Pope and serve as his advisors. Cardinals are typically ordained bishops and generally hold important roles within the church, such as leading prominent archdioceses. In modern times, most cardinals are also bishops or archbishops. However, a few are "cardinal bishops", a senior order of cardinals who preside over the suburbicarian sees around Rome.
As of 4 July 2025, there are 250 cardinals, 131 of whom are cardinal electors. Six of these are cardinal bishops, who are chosen by the Pope to be titular bishops of the seven suburbicarian dioceses in the vicinity of Rome. There are also a few additional cardinals who have been "co-opted" as cardinal bishops.
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and is considered the "'visible head' of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Catholic Church holds that the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter, possesses the unique role of speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia. The Pope may appoint an Apostolic Administrator upon the Ordinary Bishop's death, transfer, or acceptance of resignation.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are 439 active and retired (arch)bishops in the United States.
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Who are some Catholic Archbishops around the world?
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. The Pope is responsible for appointing archbishops and bishops, who are ordained ministers responsible for teaching Catholic doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the Church.
Archbishops are usually appointed from native-born priests in their country, except in the United States, which has a significant number of foreign-born bishops. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consists of all active and retired bishops in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of 2025, there are 439 active and retired archbishops in the United States. Some notable archbishops in the US include:
- Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington
- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles
- Cardinal Adam J. Maida, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit
- Cardinal Raymond Burke, Archdiocese of St. Louis
- Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore
- Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, Archbishop Emeritus of Boston
- Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia
- Cardinal James F. Stafford, Major Penitentiary Emeritus
- Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington
Outside of the US, the Catholic Church has a presence in many other countries, and there are likely to be numerous other archbishops around the world. However, I cannot provide a comprehensive list of all Catholic archbishops worldwide as the specific information is unavailable.
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How does someone become a Catholic Archbishop?
The process of becoming a Catholic Archbishop is intricate and requires several qualifications and steps. Archbishops are the highest order of bishop in the Christian Church, overseeing a larger diocese known as an archdiocese. While they have a higher profile and more significant responsibilities than bishops, they do not hold any power over the bishops within their diocese.
Qualifications
To be eligible for the position of Catholic Archbishop, one must be an ordained bishop. If the candidate is not already a bishop, they must first be ordained as one before assuming the archbishop position. Additionally, archbishops are always men, and they must demonstrate solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, and prudence.
Appointment Process
The appointment of bishops, who can then be elevated to archbishops, is a complex procedure requiring the involvement of multiple officials. In the Latin Church, the local synod, the papal nuncio or apostolic delegate, various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and the Pope all play a role in the selection process. It has become a common practice for the nuncio to seek input from the clergy and laity within the vacant diocese when making these appointments.
Additional Roles
Archbishops may also hold additional roles within the Catholic Church. They can be appointed as cardinals by the Pope, serving in the College of Cardinals and acting as papal advisors. Cardinals are usually chosen from among archbishops of important archdioceses or patriarchates, or they may be titular bishops in the Roman Curia.
Retirement
Archbishops, like bishops, are required to submit their resignations upon reaching the retirement age of 75. However, the Pope has the authority to accept a bishop's resignation at any time, regardless of age. After retirement, an archbishop may be referred to as "(Arch)bishop Emeritus" of their previous diocese.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, there were approximately 5,600 living bishops in the Catholic Church. However, it is unclear how many of these are archbishops. Archbishops exist in all traditional denominations of Eastern Christianity, including the Catholic Church.
There are 34 active Roman Catholic archbishops in the United States.
In English-speaking countries (except the United States), a Catholic archbishop is addressed as "Your Grace". In the United States, they are addressed as "Your Excellency".
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In the Catholic Church, most metropolitans are archbishops, but not all archbishops are metropolitans.
A metropolitan is an archbishop with minor jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province. In practice, this means presiding at meetings and overseeing dioceses within the province.
