Vásquez was most recently selected by Francis to oversee the Diocese of Tyler, also in Texas, after he dismissed its former bishop, Joseph Strickland, who had openly accused the pope of being a heretic and called into question the validity of his leadership.

The comments provided the latest indication of a potential renewal of friction between the Vatican and the next Trump White House.

As bishop of San Diego, a diocese along the U.S.-Mexico border, McElroy frequently defended immigrants and criticized Trump's immigration policies, calling them acts of injustice. McElroy, 70, has been a staunch ally of Pope Francis, championing the pope's agenda on issues such as migration, the environment and LGBTQ+ inclusion, CNN reported.