TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - This morning, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father James Misko as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. Misko, 55, will succeed Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, who was appointed to the Archdiocese of Detroit in March.
Misko, a native of Texas, was ordained in June 2007 and currently serves as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Austin.
Bishop Gerald Kicanas will continue as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Tucson until Misko's ordination and installation on February 20, 2026. Kicanas expressed gratitude for the appointment, saying, "We are blest that our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, sent a beautiful Christmas gift in the person of Bishop-elect James Misko. I'm confident our new shepherd will serve our diocese lovingly and faithfully as he guides and strengthens our community."
A press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center. Misko will meet with local clergy and laity at 11 a.m. at Saint Augustine Cathedral and will celebrate Mass at 12:05 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and the press conference will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Tucson's website.
The Diocese of Tucson, established in 1897, serves 400,000 Catholics across nine counties in Southern Arizona.