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Cardinals play a key role in secular politics as well as the Catholic Church – which makes Pope Francis’ choice on the new head of the church in DC all the more important

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(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross

(THE CONVERSATION) Pope Francis recently appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, a harsh critic of President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policy, to head the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

The move has led to concerns among some Catholics about how he might interact with the new administration, especially since Trump has announced plans to appoint Brian Burch, the head of a conservative Catholic political group, as ambassador to the Vatican.

As a specialist on medieval Catholicism, I am aware of the important roles that cardinals have played over the centuries in church administration and secular politics.

In addition to pastoral ministry, cardinals serving as bishops in their own countries can play an important part in shaping public opinion. Others are bishops who have served or still serve as papal ambassadors in various countries around the world.

Ancient origins

After the legalization of Christianity in the early fourth century by the Emperor Constantine,...