Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, an outspoken critic of President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies and a proponent of greater inclusion for LGBTQ Catholics, as the new archbishop of Washington, D.C.
McElroy, who succeeds Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the first African-American cardinal, aligns with Francis’ progressive vision as the Catholic Church navigates divisions between liberal and conservative factions.
McElroy’s appointment comes just weeks before Trump’s inauguration, marking a stark contrast to Trump’s selection of Brian Burch as Vatican ambassador.
Burch, a leader of the conservative Catholic advocacy group CatholicVote, has criticized Pope Francis and championed Trump’s presidency, particularly among Catholic voters.
As one of 12 California bishops, McElroy has denounced Trump’s immigration stance, including proposals for mass deportations and the repeal of DACA. He described such actions as unjust, likening them to historical injustices like Japanese internment and Native American displacement. McElroy also called for compassion toward migrants and condemned anti-immigration policies for lacking humanity, referencing Jesus’ life as a refugee.
A vocal advocate for marginalized groups, McElroy has urged the church to move beyond a disproportionate focus on sexual sin and extend greater inclusion to divorced and LGBTQ Catholics. He has criticized lingering animosity toward LGBTQ individuals within the church and questioned resistance to same-sex marriage blessings, labeling it as rooted in enduring prejudice. However, McElroy has also expressed sadness over President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion and welcomed the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a significant milestone.
Meanwhile, Burch has supported Trump’s outreach to Catholic voters and authored a pro-Trump book, A New Catholic Moment: Donald Trump and the Politics of the Common Good. He has accused Pope Francis of fostering confusion within the church, particularly regarding same-sex marriage blessings.
In another historic move, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Bramb
