Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 2, 2025 /
16:25 pm
The Senate has confirmed former CatholicVote president and founder Brian Burch to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.
In a 49-44 vote on Aug. 2, the Senate confirmed the Catholic father of nine from Chicago.
“I am profoundly grateful to President [Donald] Trump and the United States Senate for this opportunity to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the Holy See,” Burch said in a statement shared with CNA reacting to news of his confirmation. “As a proud Catholic American, I look forward to representing President Trump, Vice President [JD] Vance, and Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio in this important diplomatic post.”
He added: “I ask for the prayers of all Americans, especially my fellow Catholics, that I may serve honorably and faithfully in the noble adventure ahead.”
News of Burch’s confirmation comes after Senate Democrats initially blocked it, along with more than 50 other nominations, in May ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass. CatholicVote has since named Kelsey Reinhardt as its new president.
“I have the honor and fortune of serving in this role following the historic election of the first American pope,” Burch said in the statement, adding: “In a remarkable coincidence, or what I prefer to attribute to providence, Pope Leo XIV is from Chicago, which is also my hometown.”
He continued: “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.”
In a Saturday statement, CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt said the organization “joyfully celebrates” Burch’s confirmation.
“For the past 17 years, Brian has faithfully championed CatholicVote’s mission to inspire American Catholics to live their faith in public life,” she said. “We are confident that he will similarly excel in this new role and are forever grateful for the foundation he laid and the impact he had on millions of Catholics across the Nation.”
Burch’s confirmation had been in limbo for several months after Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz placed a blanket hold on all State Department nominees, making good on a pledge he made in protest of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Senate majority leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, filed cloture on Burch’s confirmation on July 31, putting an end to the delay.
Burch’s nomination had been previously advanced by the Foreign Relations Committee, with the committee’s 12 Republicans voting in favor and 10 Democrats opposed. During his confirmation hearing, Burch faced questions on foreign aid cuts, the China-Vatican agreement, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
At the time, Burch expressed his support for Rubio’s attempts at “recharging and refocusing our foreign aid on places that would make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” He further pledged to encourage the Holy See to push back against the Chinese government’s intervention in the election of Catholic bishops.
On the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Burch said he believed the Holy See “can play a very significant role” in permanently ending the conflict and bringing about the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau.
