Senate Confirms Brian Burch as US Ambassador to the Holy See

Burch was nominated in December 2024 by President Donald Trump.

People gather with US flags at St Peter's square with the St Peter's Basilica in the background at the Vatican, on May 11, 2025. Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

The Senate confirmed CatholicVote President Brian Burch as the latest U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See on Aug. 2.

With a vote of 49–44, Burch will head to Vatican City to serve during the first ever reign of an American Pope, Pope Leo XIV. Both men claim Chicago as their hometown, and Burch was also the president of Seton Academy Catholic Montessori School in Villa Park, Illinois, which is just outside of 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 on X.

“As a proud Catholic American, I look forward to representing President Trump, Vice President [JD] Vance, and Secretary [Marco] Rubio in this important diplomatic post,” he added.

Burch co-founded CatholicVote in 2005. The advocacy group seeks to inspire Catholic laypersons—believers who do not hold a religious position within the church—across the world, describing itself on its website as “a community of patriotic Americans who believe that the timeless truths of the Catholic faith are good for America.”

The organization has reached millions of Catholics within the United States and abroad, winning awards such as the Cardinal John O’Connor Defender of the Faith Award.

“It is fitting that Brian now continues the Church’s call of ‘making disciples of all nations’ as he steps onto a more global and diplomatic stage—fostering a strong relationship between the U.S. and the Vatican,” CatholicVote Vice President Kelsey Reinhardt said in a statement.

“CatholicVote cannot wait to see all that Ambassador Burch will accomplish in this new mission with Pope Leo XIV,” she added. “Together, they will surely make Chicago and America proud. We are praying for his success through the intercession of St. Peter.”

The organization has been noted for taking a strong conservative position, especially for its commitment to the church’s position on pro-life issues and LGBT matters. It has also been outspoken about exposing physical attacks on churches and Catholic people across the country and the world, as well as legal battles concerning parental rights.

Burch was nominated by President Donald Trump in December 2024, describing him as a devout Catholic and touting his awards.

“He represented me well during the last Election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any Presidential Candidate in History!” Trump said on Truth Social.

“Brian loves his Church and the United States. He will make us all proud.”

Pope Leo XIV and the Holy See have yet to comment on the matter, as they focus on the ongoing Jubilee of Youth, where 1 million young Catholics from around the world have gathered to celebrate their faith with their new church leader.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Vatican for comment.