Cardinal Robert McElroy holds the apostolic mandate from Pope Francis appointing him as the new archbishop of Washington and displays it for the congregation during his Solemn Mass of Installation on March 11, 2025 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (Catholic Standard photo by Mihoko Owada)

During the nearly two-hour liturgy, Cardinal McElroy encouraged the faithful of his new archdiocese to be “pilgrims of hope in a wounded world.”

Cardinal Robert McElroy emphasized the importance of Christian hope, mercy and respecting human dignity in a homily in the nation’s capital during his solemn installation Mass in which he assumed the role as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop emeritus of Washington, delivers opening remarks at the Installation Mass of Cardinal Robert McElroy on March 11, 2025 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (Catholic Standard photo by Mihoko Owada)

Cardinal Robert McElroy was installed as the Archbishop of Washington, focusing on unity and facing local challenges.

Mercy and compassion must be our first impulse when confronted with sin and human failure,' said the cardinal, who will fill the seat vacated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who retired at the beginning of this year.

McElroy said a final farewell to the city before being installed as the head of the Archdiocese of Washington on March 11.

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the former bishop of San Diego, was installed as the new archbishop of Washington Tuesday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Thousands of people — including local and federal officials,

Cardinal Robert McElroy, who has led nearly 1.4 million Catholics in San Diego and Imperial Counties as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego for the past decade, is preparing to take on a new role as Archbishop of Washington,