Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with an appeal for the faithful to reject abortion, calling for a “firm commitment” to protect and respect life from conception to natural death.

The promotion comes on Jan. 6, two weeks before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Robert McElroy, 70, has criticized Trump's deportation plans.

The pontiff has ushered in 2025 by calling for Catholics to reject abortion and calling for a "firm commitment" to protect and respect life "from conception to natural death."

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

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

Pope Francis called for the protection of life at New Year’s Day Mass on Wednesday, offering a seemingly anti-abortion message. “Let us entrust this new year to Mary, Mother of God,”

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.

Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with an appeal for the faithful to reject abortion, calling for a "firm commitment" to protect and respect life from conception to natural death.

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 the second Trump Administration.

Pope Francis started the New Year with a potent message advocating for the protection of life at all stages, from conception to natural death. During a New Year's Day Mass, he emphasized respecting human dignity and denounced abortion as 'homicidal,

Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with a renewed appeal for the faithful to reject abortion, calling for a “firm commitment” to protect and respect life from conception to natural death.