ROME: Brian Burch, the United States ambassador to the Vatican, has defended the deportation policies of Donald Trump amid criticism from Pope Leo XIV and American Catholic bishops.
In an interview with EWTN News, Burch acknowledged that immigration would remain a topic of ongoing debate between the United States and the Holy See.
“The larger question of immigration is something that will constantly be a source of debate and conversation between the U.S. and the Holy See,” Burch said.
He argued that Trump took difficult steps to address what he described as chaos in the U.S. immigration system.
Criticism from the pope and bishops
Pope Leo XIV has called for migrants to be treated with dignity and previously described aspects of the U.S. immigration crackdown as “inhuman.”
The pope has also supported statements by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops opposing indiscriminate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Burch, however, rejected claims that the policies were motivated by xenophobia, saying the administration’s goal is to ensure public safety.
“The president is deeply committed to protecting the safety and security of our country,” he said.
From advocacy to diplomacy
Burch presented his diplomatic credentials to Pope Leo XIV on September 13, 2025, after being nominated by Trump in December 2024.
Before his appointment, he served for nearly two decades as president of CatholicVote Civic Action and the CatholicVote Education Fund.
Asked about his reputation as a “MAGA Catholic,” Burch said he was proud of his role in supporting Trump’s election.
“I’m proud to have worked to elect this president,” he said, describing Trump’s presidency as a major turning point in U.S. politics.
U.S.–Vatican relations
Despite disagreements over immigration, Burch insisted that relations between the United States and the Vatican remain strong.
He noted that the two have maintained full diplomatic relations since 1984 and share common values such as human dignity, freedom, and the protection of life.
“There are areas where we may agree on the goal but disagree on the means,” Burch said.
He rejected claims that the Vatican is anti-American and said cooperation continues on global issues including conflicts in Venezuela, Cuba, Russia, and Ukraine.
Pope’s potential U.S. visit
Burch also dismissed suggestions that tensions between Washington and the Vatican were behind the pope’s decision not to visit the United States this year.
He suggested that Pope Leo XIV may have chosen to avoid appearing to influence upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
According to the ambassador, the pope could make a visit to his birth country the following year, which he said would likely be one of the largest international trips of Leo’s papacy.