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.

McElroy’s appointment comes at a time of heightened conflict between moderate and progressive U.S. Catholics and an increasingly politicized traditionalist faction, which has deepened its alliance with Republicans and Trump.

Cardinal Walter McElroy of San Diego is named by Pope Francis to replace the retiring Cardinal Wilton Gregory leading the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

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