President Donald Trump will nominate Callista Gingrich as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, according to several reports published Sunday.
CNN reported, citing an unnamed administration official, that Trump’s administration hopes to announce the nomination before Trump meets with Pope Francis in Rome next week.
Frustrated with the slow pace of vetting, Gingrich threatened to remove herself from consideration, the New York Times reported, citing an unnamed person close to Trump.
Trump nevertheless “apparently settled” on Gingrich for the job, the Times reported, citing that source and another close to Trump.
“We will let you know whenever there are official announcements regarding ambassadorships,” White House spokeswoman Kelly Love told TPM in an email.
Axios reported on Monday, citing an unnamed source, that the President had misgivings about sending Gingrich abroad because he enjoys watching her husband, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, defending him on air.
That source, per Axios, “told the President they were sure satellite hook-ups could be arranged for Newt at the Holy See.”
Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, the former House speaker previously told CNN that he had no plans to move to Italy full-time if Trump offered his wife the position.
“I’d clock in an amazing number of miles,” he joked. “You guys won’t be getting rid of me. I’ll be around.”
