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CV NEWS FEED // The Senate Foreign Relations Committee could vote as early as next week on the confirmation of CatholicVote President Brian Burch as US ambassador to the Holy See — a post that remains unfilled even as the global Catholic Church enters a time of profound transition.
If the committee moves forward, the nomination would advance to the full Senate. From there, Senate Majority Leader John Thune would need to file a cloture motion to end debate. Under standard procedure, the full Senate could then hold a final vote roughly 48 hours later, with the swearing-in of the new ambassador possibly taking place on the same day.
The timing is in the hands of Thune and Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch, both of whom control the pace of the proceedings.
The urgency has intensified following the death of Pope Francis. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are expected to represent the US at the pope’s funeral in Rome, along with other world leaders. Soon afterward, the College of Cardinals will gather in conclave to select the next pope.
The ongoing vacancy at the US embassy to the Holy See leaves a notable absence in diplomatic representation during a period of heightened global focus on the Vatican. Timely confirmation of Burch would ensure that the US is formally represented amid the Church’s leadership transition.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Burch appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this month. During his hearing, senators questioned him on international religious freedom, the Church’s global role, and the strategic importance of US-Vatican relations.
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