By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture - What message did Pope Francis send to the American Church by naming Bishop Robert McElroy to the College of Cardinals? How will his latest choices shape the prospects for the next papal conclave? Which other choices deserve a second look, and which prelates were conspicuously absent from the Pope’s list? Let me answer those questions, one by one... The tensions between Pope Francis and the US bishops’ conference have become increasingly evident. By giving red hats to prelates far to the left of the USCCB consensus— Cupich, Tobin, and now McElroy— the Pontiff is sending an unmistakable signal about both his personal preferences.