(LifeSiteNews) — Brian Burch was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See this week, following his confirmation hearing by the Senate earlier this month.
On August 19, Burch’s formal swearing-in ceremony as Ambassador was held in Washington D.C. Burch will now head to Rome to begin his role as Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See.
The 49-44 Senate vote which confirmed him in the position was on August 2, but it came against the backdrop of lengthy delays to the confirmation process by Democrats in the House and in the Senate.
“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,” Burch wrote at the time following the confirmation vote. “I have the honor and privilege of serving in this role following the historic selection of the first American pope.”
The three co-founders of @CatholicVote at the swearing in ceremony of @BrianBurchCV as Ambassador to the Holy See. pic.twitter.com/aXuHxsqz0n
— Joshua Mercer (@joshuamercer) August 20, 2025
The U.S. relationship with the Holy See “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,” he added.
Burch – a co-founder of advocacy organization CatholicVote – had been named to the role by President Donald Trump on December 20, with Trump praising Burch’s dedication to the Catholic Church and the nation.
Senate Democrats sought to delay his confirmation in May when they blocked a move to expedite his confirmation so he could begin serving as Vatican ambassador in time for Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass.
Recent Ambassadors include Calista Gingrich during Trump’s previous term, holding the post from 2017 through 2021. Following a vacancy in the position, former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly held the post under President Joe Biden, from 2022 through summer 2024.
Burch will enter into the role at a key time during the early days of the first American Pontiff’s reign, with the Trump administration likely very keen to develop good links with the Vatican.
He also assumes the role on the back of a somewhat fractious relationship between Pope Francis and Trump, when Francis criticized Trump’s immigration policies earlier this year. Francis also took direct aim at comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance about the “ordo amoris,” the firmly Catholic teaching about a hierarchy, or order, of charity which starts with the family and spreads eventually to the wider world.
