The United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, met this week in Washington with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss cooperation with the Holy See in favor of world peace and religious freedom.
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See reported on Thursday, August 27 on the meetings and shared images of the visit. According to the diplomatic mission, Burch also delivered to the U.S. leaders several baseballs signed by Pope Leo XIV on July 4, as a “gesture of friendship” on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“Ambassador Burch had the honor of meeting this week with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary Rubio to discuss how we can work with the Holy See to promote world peace and religious freedom,” the Embassy stated.
The baseballs signed by Leo XIV on July 4
The baseballs delivered in Washington come from the celebration of U.S. Independence Day on July 4. That afternoon, Leo XIV visited Ambassador Burch’s residence in Rome after accepting an invitation from the ambassador on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The visit was confirmed the same day by the Holy See Press Office.
During the meeting, the Pope shared dinner with the ambassador and his family. Burch later explained that they discussed, among other topics, Chicago—where both have ties—and sports, especially baseball. Before leaving, Leo XIV signed several baseballs and wrote on them the date “7-4-26,” corresponding to July 4, 2026.
The Burch family then presented the Pontiff with a U.S. national soccer team jersey, a commemorative baseball for the 250th anniversary, and an apple pie. According to the ambassador’s later account, Leo XIV left the residence around ten o’clock at night.
Burch’s meeting with Trump, Vance, and Rubio also comes three months after the audience that Leo XIV held with the U.S. Secretary of State at the Vatican. In that meeting, held in May, the Pope and Rubio discussed the international situation and the need to work for peace.