Having led the San Diego diocese since 2015, McElroy, 70, has experience with immigration, both as a political issue and a reality in his diocesan churches.

ROME — Pope Francis on Monday named Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the archbishop of Washington, tapping one of his most progressively like-minded allies to head the Catholic Church in the U.S. capital at the start of Donald Trump ’s second administration.

The appointment of Robert W. McElroy is a signal of the pope’s priorities, two weeks before Donald J. Trump’s term begins.

Observers say progressive new archbishop of Washington is expected to speak out for immigrants, LGBTQ persons and the marginalized. "A very strong voice to counter the horrors," a college president predicts.

McElroy, known for a pastoral approach to migrants and the LGBTQ+ community, will lead an archdiocese still bruised by a sexual abuse and mismanagement scandal.

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Robert McElroy as the new archbishop of Washington, D.C. McElroy has been a harsh critic of Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Cardinal Walter McElroy of San Diego is named by Pope Francis to replace the retiring Cardinal Wilton Gregory leading the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis on Monday tapped cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, as the next Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C. Why it matters: McElroy, a vocal ally for migrants, women and LBGTQ people in the church,

Cardinal Robert McElroy, who has expressed criticism of Trump’s policies, said he prayed the new administration would make America a better place.