Pope appoints progressive ally Cardinal McElroy as Washington archbishop

Pope Francis on Monday named Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the archbishop of Washington, aligning the U.S. capital’s archdiocese with one of his most progressive allies.

The appointment, announced on the Catholic feast of the Epiphany, positions McElroy at the forefront of the U.S. Catholic Church as Donald Trump begins his second term as president.

Why It Matters

The Archdiocese of Washington plays a pivotal role in the Catholic Church, encompassing more than 670,000 Catholics across Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland.

McElroy has a reputation for advocating for social justice issues, including a rejection of efforts to exclude Catholic politicians supporting abortion rights from Communion. He has also criticized U.S. bishops for placing disproportionate emphasis on abortion as their “preeminent” concern while downplaying other critical social issues such as racism, poverty and climate change. His stance echoes Pope Francis’ broader vision of a more inclusive and socially engaged church.

What We Know

McElroy, 70, replaces Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who is retiring after steering the archdiocese through a turbulent period marked by renewed clerical abuse scandals. In his introductory press conference, McElroy signaled potential points of contention with Trump’s administration, particularly regarding immigration and climate change. Prior to the president-elect’s first term, he said society was suffering the “profound sickness” of excessive partisanship.

A native of San Francisco, he holds degrees from Harvard, Stanford and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He served in multiple parish and administrative roles in California before becoming bishop of San Diego, where he oversaw a diocese serving more than 1.3 million Catholics, in 2015.

His appointment comes as the Trump administration signals stricter immigration policies, including mass deportations. McElroy voiced concern about such measures, saying: “Plans which have been talked about on some level of having a wider indiscriminate, massive deportation across the country would be something that would be incompatible with Catholic doctrine.”

McElroy also emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, describing it as “one of the greatest challenges” facing the global community. His remarks align with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which frames environmental stewardship as a moral obligation.

What People Are Saying

Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a religious scholar at Manhattan University, celebrated McElroy’s nomination, calling him “competent, kind, empathetic and willing to fight on the side of the vulnerable […] I can’t think of a bigger challenge than to be so close to the seat of the U.S. government in 2025.”

The Reverend James Martin, Jesuit priest, author and LGBTQ+ advocate, praised McElroy’s academic and pastoral credentials, noting his “doctorates in both theology and political science” and describing him as “one of the brightest and most capable clerics” in the U.S. church.

What’s Next

McElroy’s tenure as Washington’s archbishop will be closely watched as he navigates the intersection of faith and politics in the nation’s capital. His approach will likely focus on fostering unity within the church while advancing Pope Francis’ priorities of inclusivity and social justice.

Addressing Washington’s large Latino community in Spanish during his press conference, McElroy affirmed his commitment to an open and welcoming church. “Todos, todos, todos,” he said, quoting Pope Francis, emphasizing that everyone is welcome in the church, no one excluded.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.