President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, as the next U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Burch will serve as the top U.S. diplomat to the Vatican, a role formalized in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II established diplomatic relations.

In his statement, Trump praised Burch as a “devout Catholic” who “loves his church and the United States.” He added, “He has received numerous awards and demonstrated exceptional leadership, helping build one of the largest Catholic advocacy groups in the country. He represented me well during the last election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any presidential candidate in history.”

Burch expressed his gratitude on X, saying he was “deeply honored and humbled” by the nomination. “Words cannot express my gratitude to all those that have helped me achieve this nomination,” he wrote, crediting his father for instilling in him a strong Catholic faith.

He also emphasized his commitment to the mission ahead: “I am committed to working with leaders inside the Vatican and the new administration to promote the dignity of all people and the common good. I look forward to the confirmation process and the opportunity to serve my country and the church.”

This nomination highlights Trump’s focus on strengthening ties with the Vatican and advancing shared values.