The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will have the 13th bishop in its history.
The Holy See announced that Pope Leo XIV accepted Bishop David Zubic's resignation at 6 a.m. local time. Last September, Zubik reached a mandatory retirement age of 75.
Pope Leo will appoint auxiliary bishop Mark Eckman as the 13th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Bishop Eckman said, “I accepted a humble and humble heart, and I accepted this appointment and demanded all faithful prayers.” “Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope.”
Bishop Eckman will be officially installed in the special mass of St. Paul's Cathedral in Auckland on Monday, July 14, 2025.
"I am very grateful and excited about this date," Bishop Zubic wrote in a letter to the clergy and staff. "Bissary Eckman knows the diocese and we know he is an outstanding pastor and an outstanding administrator - a true model pastor."
Bishop Eckman has been an auxiliary bishop since 2022 and has been a long-time parish pastor.
Zubik and Eckman appeared at a press conference Wednesday along with parish staff and officials.
Although Zubic was able to comment on his departure, he promised support for Bishop Ekman before installing next month.
Eckman is a Western Pennsylvania native from Bethel Park and has served as an auxiliary bishop since 2022. As a result, he has also served in the central government for the past 12 years.
Eckman said he was nervous when he first received his appointment call because he expected to be sent elsewhere, but had settled when he found out he would stay in Pittsburgh.
He also mentioned some of the key priorities for his leadership to move forward, one of which is causing more harm with young members, calling them the future and present of the church.
“In our ending, we have to build and help develop their faith,” he said.
Zubic said he does not intend to become a sofa potato after retirement, and he said he will be involved in various programs, including some specific publicity with Catholic charities.
“For the newcomer, I want him to be holy because I think what we need in Pittsburgh, America and the world is holy, or a focus on holiness, and I want our new bishop and the new pope to put it together,” said Wayne Kelly, a parishioner.
The switch is when the Vatican also begins a new chapter. Chicago native Pope Leo is the first American pope. This prompted Stephen Veltman, from North Carolina, to go to Chicago and then stop in Pittsburgh to watch the historic St. Paul Cathedral.
"I hope everything goes well. I know that when the world changes, people have to get used to a lot of things, but when that change is led by love, it makes a difference."