Staff Reports
Pope Francis has thrown a curveball into the Archdiocese of Washington with his selection of Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego. This decision seems to be a direct jab at President-elect Donald Trump, who recently tapped Brian Burch, a staunch advocate for Catholic values and a supporter of Trump’s immigration and pro-life policies, as the Vatican ambassador. Apparently, the Pope doesn’t want the American Church to lean in a more traditional direction, instead opting for a cardinal who champions “radical inclusion” and has a history of taking shots at Trump’s immigration stance.
McElroy’s recent appointment is hardly a mere coincidence. According to reports, the Pope felt compelled to make this move after learning of Burch’s nomination. It’s as if he took a deep breath, looked at his chessboard, and decided to counter Trump’s pro-Catholic move with a piece of his own — and what a piece it is. It was believed that Jefferson City’s Bishop Sean McKnight was set to take over for retiring Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who had his feet up in 2022 after reaching the age of retirement. Just when everyone thought the outcome was settled, Pope Francis threw a monkey wrench into the works.
Pope Francis Appointed a Left-Wing, Divisive Cardinal To DC Due To Trump’s Vatican Ambassador Pick. https://t.co/CuQhFgF6Sa
— Ben Owen (@hrkbenowen) January 8, 2025
Some insiders have noted that McElroy was previously considered too provocative for this role. After all, a cardinal who advocates for a more open-door immigration policy and has publicly criticized calls for the denial of communion to pro-abortion politicians doesn’t exactly align with the values many Catholics, particularly those supporting Trump, hold dear. It’s a classic case of the Vatican trying to play the political game at a time when sticking with traditional values might be more beneficial.
The Vatican seems to perceive Trump’s approach as “aggressive” and “undiplomatic,” which is rich coming from an organization where diplomacy can sometimes feel like a politely veiled assault. The Pope, in this instance, appears to be gearing up for battle, attempting to navigate the shifting tides of American political discourse through the lens of his own liberal ideals.
Burch, on the other hand, represented a wave of conservative Catholic leadership that resonated more with the average American voter concerned about pro-life issues and immigration reform. His defense of Trump as the obvious Catholic choice for the presidency, along with a critique of figures like Kamala Harris, paints a picture of the Church’s internal struggle. The appointment of McElroy only deepens this divide, possibly signaling that the Church’s leadership will continue to drift further away from the priorities of the faithful in America.
In the end, whether Cardinal McElroy can balance a liberal agenda without alienating traditional Catholics remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Vatican’s chess game is only just beginning, and it seems to be a match many conservative Christians are not willing to lose.
