Staff Reports
Pope Francis has thrown a curveball into the religious political arena by appointing a liberal cardinal to lead the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. This questionable decision seems to have been a direct reaction to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of a Vatican ambassador, who is no fan of liberal agendas. Talk about a holy showdown!
The newly appointed Cardinal, Robert McElroy, is not exactly the type of individual one would expect to see in a position of power when pro-life and immigration enforcement are hot topics. He has made headlines by criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, promoting the somewhat cringeworthy concept of “radical inclusion” for women and LGBTQ individuals within the Church. Apparently, in the Vatican’s eyes, McElroy’s progressive beliefs are just the icing on the cake to counter Trump’s conservative selections.
Internal discussions had favored Bishop Sean McKnight of Jefferson City as the prime candidate to replace Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, who had taken his retirement bow in 2022. However, once news of Trump’s ambassador selection hit the Vatican, Pope Francis must have felt a sudden need to flex some papal muscle and decided someone like McElroy was necessary. This was a classic case of the Pope deciding to play hardball and to throw out an unexpected wild card rather than stick with the settled choice. It appears some Vatican insiders were left scratching their heads at the sudden change in plans; it was solidly in McKnight’s favor until it wasn’t.
The Vatican’s reaction to Trump’s decision comes off like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. Characterizing Trump’s actions as “aggressive” and “undiplomatic” is hardly a surprise; after all, it seems that undiplomatic is rather fashionable among those who lean to the left these days. This appointment of McElroy smells not only of politics but of a desperate attempt to hold onto relevance by inserting progressive ideals into the Church hierarchy.
REPORT: Pope Francis Appointed Progressive, Divisive
Cardinal To DC Due To Trump Vatican Ambassador Pick https://t.co/iJ3A9aBVKdhttps://t.co/dkiJ775Sic— NahBabyNah #Trump (@NahBabyNah) January 8, 2025
On top of all this, Cardinal McElroy’s understanding of immigration issues would make an open-border activist proud. He publicly lamented what he called the “genuine fear” caused by Trump’s proposed mass deportations, insisting that the church should instead focus on inclusivity and compassion. His refusal to deny Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians like President Biden and former Speaker Pelosi further cements his place as a card-carrying member of the liberal clergy club—not surprising considering the Pope himself has been known to toe the line of progressive unity.
Meanwhile, Brian Burch, the man chosen by Trump to deepen ties with the Vatican on issues like immigration and pro-life policies, is positioned as a supporter of Trump’s values. In fact, Burch has openly called Trump the obvious choice for the presidency among Catholics, firmly criticizing Democrats for their ardent support of abortion and their increasing hostility toward Christians. Yet, the Vatican seems intent on blowing off Burch’s views, showcasing their choice of McElroy as a deliberate snubbing of conservative principles and those who hold fast to them.
The game of religious chess is alive and well, but the next move by the Vatican might just be a checkmate for traditional values.
