The United States Senate confirmed the appointment on Saturday of Brian Burch as the newest U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.
Burch, the co-founder of CatholicVote, wrote on X after his appointment:
"I am profoundly grateful to President Trump and the United States Senate for this opportunity to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. I have the honor and privilege of serving in this role following the historic selection of the first American pope.”
Burch is not only the first U.S. ambassador to American-born Pope Leo XIV, they also share a hometown of Chicago.
In his role as a diplomat, Burch will communicate the interests and concerns of the United States to the Vatican as well as convey the Vatican’s priorities back to the United States.
While the Vatican City State only has a small amount of acreage, it has significant global influence, especially as a leader in humanitarian and moral issues.
The United States had inconsistent contact with the Vatican since the 1800s, but only established full diplomatic relations in 1984.
The Holy See officially maintains diplomatic relations with 183 out of the 195 countries that exist to date. The Holy See has either a local nunciature (106) or a delocalized nunciature (77). In comparison, China has an ambassador in 169 countries, the United States in 168 countries and France in 161 countries.
Burch will be the 13th official ambassador, following a dozen men and women who served anywhere from one to four years in the post. These diplomats have spoken with the Vatican on many issues over the years, from the Cold War to the environment.
Born in Phoenix and educated at the University of Dallas, in Chicago Burch is currently the president of CatholicVote and the father of nine children.
Upon his appointment, he posted, “I ask for the prayers of all Americans, especially my fellow Catholics, that I may serve honorably and faithfully in the noble adventure ahead.”
