A Chicago Catholic takes on Vatican diplomacy after Senate confirmation
On August 2, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Brian Burch, co‑founder and former president of CatholicVote, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. The vote, held in a rare Saturday session, passed narrowly at 49 YEAs to 44 NAYs along party lines on nomination PN26‑5.
Burch, a father of nine from the Chicago suburbs, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. He said, “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,” noting that it was significant to assume the role following the election of the first American pope . He added, “The relationship between the Holy See and the United States remains one of the most unique in the world, with the global reach and moral witness of the Catholic Church serving as a critical component of U.S. efforts to bring about peace and prosperity, according to Catholic News Agency.
Burch’s nomination was delayed for months after Sen. Brian Schatz (D‑HI) placed a blanket hold on State Department nominees, in protest over Trump‑era cuts to USAID. The hold prevented Burch from being in place for key Vatican events in spring 2025, including Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass.
It was only after Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) filed for cloture on July 31 that the hold ended, allowing the final vote to proceed on August 2.
During his April confirmation hearing, Burch was questioned about foreign aid reductions, the Vatican’s diplomatic dealings with China, and its potential role in the Israel‑Hamas conflict. According to Catholic News Agency, he defended the Trump administration’s decision to refocus aid “on places that would make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” while criticizing aid directed toward causes “not aligned with U.S. interests”.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D‑NH) challenged him on the impact of these cuts on Catholic charities such as Caritas, which she said condemned the decision as potentially fatal to “millions of people”.
Burch has also been a vocal critic of the late Pope Francis, accusing him of showing a “pattern of vindictiveness and punishment” at odds with his stated commitment to mercy and accompaniment.
In a notable twist, Pope Leo XIV, elected and installed in May 2025, hails from Chicago, the same hometown as Ambassador Burch. Burch called this “a remarkable coincidence, or what I prefer to attribute to Providence” and expressed that this shared origin might enrich his mission in Rome.
As ambassador, Burch succeeds former Senator Joe Donnelly, who served under President Biden until July 2024. He becomes the thirteenth U.S. envoy to the Holy See since diplomatic relations were fully restored in 1984.
Burch has requested the prayers of Americans, particularly his fellow Catholics, “that I may serve honorably and faithfully in the noble adventure ahead.”
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