Let’s face it: the Catholic Church doesn’t usually scream “progressive,” but Pope Francis seems determined to rewrite that script, one jaw-dropping move at a time. His latest shake-up? Appointing Cardinal Robert McElroy—yes, that McElroy, the guy who’s been openly championing migrants, LGBTQ Catholics, and climate action—to be the next Archbishop of Washington, DC. It’s like the Vatican just put a giant middle finger in the direction of Trumpism and ultra-conservative bishops in the U.S.

But this wasn’t some random decision. This move is the result of years of political infighting, ideological battles, and Francis slowly but surely dragging the Church (kicking and screaming) into the 21st century. Let’s break down the messy, scandal-ridden, and frankly entertaining series of events that led to this mic-drop moment.

Before we can talk about McElroy, we need to talk about the absolute circus Pope Francis walked into when he became pope in 2013. The Catholic Church was a goddamn mess. We’re talking:

Francis didn’t just step into this chaos; he took one look at the sh*tstorm and said, “Hold my chalice.”

From day one, Pope Francis made it clear he wasn’t your grandma’s pope. This guy was all about shaking things up, and he didn’t care whose vestments he ruffled along the way. Here’s the TL;DR of his priorities:

Francis has been relentless in pushing the Church to focus on the poor, migrants, and other marginalized groups. His famous “Who am I to judge?” comment about gay Catholics in 2013 set the tone for his papacy. While he didn’t exactly wave a Pride flag from the Vatican balcony, it was a big fucking deal for a Church that had spent centuries condemning LGBTQ people.

In 2015, Francis dropped Laudato Si’, an encyclical on climate change that basically told world leaders, “Stop fucking up the planet.” It was a bold move that pissed off oil companies and conservative politicians but made him a hero among environmentalists.

Francis has spent years trying to make the Church less about power and politics and more about actual spirituality. This includes appointing progressive bishops and cardinals who share his vision, like McElroy.

If Pope Francis is the Church’s disruptor-in-chief, Cardinal Robert McElroy is his ride-or-die. This guy has been on Team Francis since day one, and his track record speaks for itself.

McElroy has been one of the loudest advocates for immigrant rights in the U.S. Catholic Church. While certain bishops were busy cozying up to Trump and his “build the wall” bullsh*t, McElroy was out here reminding everyone that Jesus was a refugee.

McElroy has been a vocal supporter of welcoming LGBTQ Catholics into the Church. He’s called for an end to the Church’s “culture war” on homosexuality and has even suggested the Church reconsider its language around same-sex relationships. To conservative Catholics, this was basically heresy. To everyone else, it was a long-overdue dose of common sense.

McElroy has fully embraced Francis’ call for climate action, arguing that caring for the planet is a moral obligation. He’s spoken out about the devastating effects of climate change on the world’s poorest communities, tying environmental issues to social justice.

Here’s where things get spicy. While McElroy and Francis have been pushing for a more inclusive, socially conscious Church, a lot of U.S. bishops have been steering in the opposite direction. Think of them as the Church’s version of MAGA Republicans—hardline conservatives who want to double down on culture wars and resist any whiff of change.

Trump’s presidency was a litmus test for U.S. bishops, and the results were... messy. Some, like Archbishop Wilton Gregory (McElroy’s predecessor), were openly critical of Trump’s policies. Others, like Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, basically treated Trump like the second coming of Christ. This split turned the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops into a political battleground.

When Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, became president, you’d think the bishops would be thrilled to have one of their own in the White House. Nope. A group of conservative bishops launched an effort to deny Biden Communion over his pro-choice stance, turning what should’ve been a moment of unity into yet another culture war.

McElroy has been a thorn in the side of these conservative bishops for years. He’s clashed with them on everything from LGBTQ inclusion to climate action, and his appointment to Washington, DC, is a clear sign that Francis is backing him over the old guard.

The Archbishop of Washington, DC, isn’t just any old bishop. This is one of the most high-profile roles in the U.S. Catholic Church, with direct access to political power. Whoever holds this position has a platform to shape the Church’s relationship with the government, the media, and the American public.

By appointing McElroy, Francis is sending a loud and clear message: The future of the Catholic Church is progressive, whether the conservatives like it or not.

So, what does this mean for the Church, the U.S., and, let’s be real, the world?

You can bet your ass conservative Catholics aren’t going to take this lying down. McElroy’s appointment is already pissing off the MAGA wing of the Church, and the infighting is only going to get worse. Expect more headlines about Communion bans, LGBTQ issues, and political posturing.

McElroy’s appointment could be a turning point for the Church. If he succeeds in Washington, it’ll strengthen Francis’ vision of a more inclusive, socially conscious Catholicism. If he fails, it’ll be a major setback for progressives in the Church.

Let’s not forget that this is all happening against the backdrop of Trump’s 2025 Presidential comeback. McElroy will be on the front lines of the Church’s response to whatever chaos Trump unleashes onto an unsuspecting populace.

Pope Francis’ decision to appoint Cardinal McElroy as the next Archbishop of Washington, DC, is a big fucking deal. It’s a bold move that challenges the Church’s old ways and pushes it toward a more progressive future. But it’s also a risky one, and whether it pays off will depend on McElroy’s ability to navigate the sh*tshow that is American Catholicism.

One thing’s for sure: This isn’t just about the Church. It’s about the soul of a country, a faith, and maybe even humanity itself. No pressure, McElroy.