President-elect Donald Trump's latest diplomatic nomination signals a significant shift in U.S.-Vatican relations.
According to Just The News, Trump announced his selection of Brian Burch, the president of CatholicVote and father of nine, as the next United States Ambassador to the Holy See on Friday, December 21, 2024.
The nomination comes as Trump prepares to return to the White House following his victory over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Burch, who has earned recognition for his leadership in Catholic advocacy, currently heads one of the nation's largest Catholic advocacy organizations.
His appointment to represent U.S. interests at the Vatican, the Catholic Church's central governing body, reflects Trump's ongoing effort to strengthen ties with religious constituencies.
Trump expressed his endorsement of Burch on TRUTH Social, emphasizing the nominee's dedication to both his faith and country.
The president-elect specifically noted Burch's role in securing unprecedented Catholic voter support during the recent election.
Trump shared the following statement on his social media platform:
Brian is a devout Catholic, a father of nine, and President of CatholicVote. He has received numerous awards, and demonstrated exceptional leadership, helping build one of the largest Catholic advocacy groups in the Country.
The former president further praised Burch's contributions to his campaign success, noting:
He represented me well during the last Election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any Presidential Candidate in History! Brian loves his Church and the United States - He will make us all proud. Congratulations to Brian, his wife Sara, and their incredible family!
The appointment demonstrates Trump's continued focus on maintaining strong relationships with religious communities. Pre-election polling had indicated favorable Catholic support for Trump in his contest against Harris, a prediction that proved accurate according to Trump's statement.
The Holy See ambassadorship, based in Vatican City, Rome, serves as a crucial diplomatic link between the United States and the Catholic Church's central government. This position has historically played an important role in maintaining diplomatic relations with the Vatican while addressing shared concerns on various global issues.
The selection of Burch, with his extensive experience in Catholic advocacy and organizational leadership, suggests a strategic approach to religious diplomacy. His background as president of CatholicVote and his role in building one of the country's largest Catholic advocacy groups positions him uniquely for this diplomatic post.
The appointment of Brian Burch as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See marks a significant development in American-Vatican diplomatic relations. As president of CatholicVote and a father of nine, Burch brings both professional expertise and personal commitment to Catholic values to his new role.
Following Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, this nomination reflects the president-elect's strategy of strengthening ties with religious constituencies, particularly after securing what he describes as historic levels of Catholic voter support.
