Pope Francis delivered his annual “state of the world” address on Thursday, asking ambassadors to pursue a “diplomacy of hope” in the 2025 Jubilee Year.

The pope pointed to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump as an example of growing polarization and mistrust.

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy as Archbishop of Washington. This choice carries undeniable political weight, reflecting the profound opposition between the Californian cleric and the incoming Republican President Donald Trump.

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, a vocal defender of migrants and critic of Donald Trump’s first administration, as the next archbishop of Washington, DC. Cardinal McElroy ...

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

During Trump's first administration, Cardinal McElroy sharply criticised his plan to launch a mass deportation campaign targeting millions of immigrants living in the United States.

By choosing Cardinal Robert McElroy to lead the Archdiocese of Washington, the pope is sending a message to the incoming president promising mass deportations.

On Dec. 20, Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Brian Burch as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Burch, the president of CatholicVote.org, has been an outspoken defender of Trump and vigorously promoted his reelection in 2020 and 2024.

Cardinal Robert McElroy has supported migrants and said the church should be more inclusive to women and LGBT people.

Francis’ liberal pick for Washington, D.C. archbishop is at odds with Trump’s choice for ambassador to the Vatican, Brian Burch, a vocal Francis critic.