Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Cardinal Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington; Appoints Cardinal Robert McElroy as Successor

WASHINGTON – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, 77, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Washington, and has appointed Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego, as his successor.

The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Archdiocese of Washington is comprised of 2,104 square miles in the District of Columbia and the five counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles in the State of Maryland, and has a total population of 3,050,847 of which 671,187, are Catholic.