Pope Leo appoints US bishops critical of Trump policies
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 1
Pope Leo appoints US bishops critical of Trump policies
12 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 1
Salvadoran-born Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, 55, becomes Bishop of West Virginia, while Robert Boxie III, 46, a Howard University chaplain, becomes the country's youngest bishop.
Menjivar has urged Catholics to oppose Trump's treatment of immigrants, and Boxie has condemned attacks on diversity and criticised efforts to dismantle DEI programmes.
The appointments signal Leo's push to elevate clergy challenging White House positions on immigration and racial justice; he also named Gary R. Studniewski auxiliary bishop for Washington.
What message does appointing an immigrant bishop to a conservative state send about the Church's role in society?
With a new Black bishop and a shrine for a former slave, is the US Church confronting its racial history?
How will the Vatican's new 'activist' bishops navigate the deep divisions within the American Catholic community?
The Clash Between Trump’s Blasphemous AI Images and Pope Leo XIV’s Immigration-Focused Catholic Reforms
Overview
In 2026, former President Trump sparked outrage by posting AI images depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, intensifying tensions with the Catholic Church and drawing sharp political condemnation. This feud highlighted deep divides between Trump’s supporters and Catholic leaders, especially under Pope Leo XIV, who appointed bishops with immigrant backgrounds to promote immigrant rights within the U.S. Church. Pope Leo expanded the pro-life agenda to include defending migrants, challenging conservative Catholics and reshaping Church politics. His American identity empowered him to critique U.S. policies boldly, while his bishops’ long-term influence promises to embed immigrant advocacy in the Church, potentially transforming Catholic identity and U.S. immigration debates for decades.