Brian Burch, former longtimepresident of CatholicVote, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday as the Ambassador to the Holy See.
He was confirmed along party lines in a 49-44 vote, with four Republican Senators and three Democrats not voting.
Newsweek reached out via email to the press teams of the four Republican senators who did not cast a vote on his confirmation on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Burch had been critical of decisions made by the late Pope Francis.
The Chicago-based Catholic will serve as the first ambassador to the Holy See with the new American, also Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV. He is also the co-founder of CatholicVote, which backed President Donald Trump’s candidacy.
What To Know
Burch was nominated by then-President elect Donald Trump for the position in December.
On Saturday, Senate Republicans pushed through Burch’s confirmation, with most Democrats voting against it. Republican Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Roger Wicker of Mississippi did not vote, neither did both of Arizona’s Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly nor Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont.
Burch welcomed the confirmation, writing in an X post on Saturday: “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.” He continued, “I have the honor and privilege of serving in this role following the historic selection of the first American pope.”
Burch previously said the pope’s 2023 decision allowing priests to bless individuals in same-sex unions created “confusion” within the church. Following Francis’ decision to remove Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland, a conservative who clashed with the former pope, Burch said, “The pattern of vindictiveness and punishment seems to fly in the face of what he says about being an instrument of mercy and accompaniment.”
He also took issue with Francis’ 2015 comment, which he later apologized for, stating that Catholics do not need to breed “like rabbits.” Burch has nine children.
CatholicVote actively supported Trump in the 2024 and 2020 presidential election. The nonprofit released a 30-second ad alleging that a vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris is “a vote for medical experiments on kids,” in reference to sex change operations.
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What People Are Saying
Kelsey Reinhardt, who was named the second CatholicVote’s president in June, said in a statement Saturday: “CatholicVote joyfully celebrates the confirmation of Brian Burch to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, the governing body of the largest and most important religious institution in the world. For the past 17 years, Brian has faithfully championed CatholicVote’s mission to inspire American Catholics to live their faith in public life. 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.”
Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, wrote in an X post: “What a tremendous U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See @BrianBurchCV will be — at a crucial time, with an American pope. Congratulations, my friend.”
University of Dallas wrote in an X post Saturday: “Congratulations to UDallas alumnus Brian Burch, BA ’97, on being confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See! You are an inspiration to us. See you in Rome!”
What Happens Next?
Burch will take up the post immediately.
Update 8/2/25, 7:01 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 8/2/25, 5:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
