VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s new ambassador to the Vatican, a right-wing Catholic who was sharply critical of Pope Francis, tried to sweeten his diplomacy on Saturday in a meeting with Pope Leo, giving the pontiff a chocolate birthday cake.
Brian Burch gave Leo, the first U.S. pope, a cake made by a Chicago-area dining chain as part of a meeting at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace to formally present his diplomatic credentials.
Leo, originally from Chicago and elected in May to replace Francis, turns 70 on Sunday. The cake, decorated with a red happy birthday sign, came from Portillo’s, a popular local chain known especially for its hot dogs, Italian beef and BBQ ribs.
Burch was a frequent critic of Francis, who led the 1.4-billion-member Church for 12 years. He said the late pope’s pastoral agenda, such as being more welcoming of LGBTQ Catholics, caused “massive confusion.”
One papal advisor suggested the Vatican might refuse to accredit Burch when Trump nominated him last year, which the Vatican did not do.
Leo laughed on Saturday when presented with the cake. “Portillo’s sent it to you,” Burch told the pope, according to handout video. Leo responded: “And you brought it.”
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
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