Pope Leo XIV has appointed three new bishops in the United States this week, placing figures who have openly criticised Donald Trump into senior church roles at a time of ongoing tensions between the Vatican and the White House.

The appointments, announced in early May 2026, include Bishop Evelio Menjivar, Father Gary Studniewski, and Father Robert Boxie III. According toNewsweek, all three have previously spoken out on political and social issues linked to the Trump administration, from immigration to civil rights and the events of January 6.

The move has raised eyebrows in Washington as relations between the Vatican and Trump have been strained for months. The divide escalated after thepope criticised US actions in Iranin April, prompting Trump to respond by calling him 'weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy' and adding, 'If I weren't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'

The choice of bishops is not random. Bishop Evelio Menjivar, who will now lead the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, has been particularly outspoken on immigration policy. Writing last year, he described federal enforcement as a 'shock and awe' campaign that went beyond standard immigration control.

He warned that such actions were creating fear not only among undocumented migrants but also among people with legal status and even US citizens with immigrant families. His language reflected a broader concern within parts of the Catholic Church about how policy affects human dignity.

Father Robert Boxie III, now appointed as an auxiliary bishop in Washington, has taken aim at efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Speaking in 2025, he said, 'In a lot of ways we have made great progress, but in so many ways I feel like we're regressing.' He added that the term 'DEI' had become unclear, saying, 'I don't even know what that means anymore. It's a term that's been hijacked.'

Meanwhile, Father Gary Studniewski brings a different kind of experience. A former Army chaplain, he was in Washington during the 6 January attack on the US Capitol. Reflecting on that day, he described it as 'very disturbing, very disheartening,' adding, 'It was a normal day until all that sickening unrest in the afternoon.'

The appointments suggest that Pope Leo XIV is choosing bishops who are comfortable speaking openly about political issues, even when that puts them at odds with government policy. Two of the new bishops will serve in the Archdiocese of Washington, a key location close to US political power, which gives their roles added influence.

Over the past few weeks, tensions between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have turned into a very public disagreement, largely focused on war, immigration and how world leaders should talk about conflict.

Source: International Business Times UK