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.

One church historian calls the decision a ‘bold move’ by the Pope and a ‘statement’ to the incoming administration.

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.

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

Pope Francis selected San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy, who once called for anti-Trump "disruptors," to lead the Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis is moving the head of San Diego’s Roman Catholic Diocese to Washington, D.C., placing a prominent ally, as well as a supporter of migrant and LGBTQ communities, in the nation’s capital as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to launch mass deportations and a rollback of transgender rights.