Two of President Donald Trump’s ambassador appointments to key posts in Rome are turning heads both in Italy and the Vatican due to their high-profile backgrounds and unconventional starts.

According to Just The News, Billionaire Tilman Fertitta and conservative activist Brian Burch—now serving as U.S. ambassadors to Italy and the Holy See—were both criticized early on for their lack of diplomatic experience but have since taken on more traditional roles.

Fertitta, known for owning the NBA’s Houston Rockets and operating a vast hospitality empire, was nominated by Trump to represent the United States in Italy and San Marino. His arrival in Rome in May was anything but discreet, with Italian media circling images of his lifestyle, including commuting from his expansive yacht, “Boardwalk,” anchored off the Mediterranean coast.

Not long after settling in, Fertitta voiced dissatisfaction with the historic Villa Taverna, an official U.S. diplomatic residence in Rome since 1933. He described the 15th-century structure as being in poor condition, prompting renovations that wrapped up by July.

In a nod to diplomacy and culture, Fertitta moved into the refurbished residence and hosted an American art exhibit during the United States’ Independence Day celebrations. Drawing from his tenure as a board member at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts, he sought to infuse a sense of cultural exchange into his mission.

Fertitta Looks to Bridge Trade Gap

Though lacking foreign policy credentials, Fertitta has outlined a broad economic goal for his ambassadorship. He has emphasized intentions to address the $43 billion trade imbalance between the U.S. and Italy, particularly by fostering partnerships involving American energy firms.

Italy's media landscape has tracked Fertitta’s every move closely. Milan’s Il Giornale poked fun at his yacht commute, while prominent Italian economist Riccardo Puglisi commented that Trump’s ambassadorial selections seem to be more about pushing the administration’s agenda than following traditional criteria.

Puglisi criticized the strategic nature of the appointments, saying the focus appears aimed at furthering Trump’s trade goals. He noted, “It’s clear that President Trump isn’t shy about picking the ambassadors he wants, even if they are controversial and even if they have no diplomatic experience.”

Burch Appointment Follows Early Vatican Concerns

Meanwhile, the Holy See’s new U.S. ambassador, Brian Burch, arrived amid equal controversy but from a different angle. Burch, an outspoken conservative Catholic activist, was noted for his harsh critique of Pope Francis’s ruling in 2023 blessing same-sex couples. This stance led to rumors that the Vatican briefly considered blocking his appointment.

Pope Francis ultimately did not take action before his death in April, clearing the path for Burch’s nomination to stand. Though early concerns hinted at a potential chilling of relations, the changing tone in later weeks suggested otherwise.

Burch, like Fertitta, entered the diplomatic post with no prior experience in international relations. The Vatican-U.S. relationship, which is socially focused more than economically driven, made many observers wary of how his strong conservative views might impact bilateral engagement.

New Pope and Senate Hearing Bring Shift

Following the election of Pope Leo XIV in May, who, like Burch, hails from Chicago, tensions appeared to ease. At his Senate confirmation hearing in August, Burch praised the new pope and spoke of their shared roots, even going so far as to suggest that their link “may have been inspired by God.”

In contrast with his earlier rhetoric, Burch has since adopted a more measured tone. He has committed to promoting common concerns, including religious liberty, human dignity, and cooperation on global issues such as peace and justice—areas that often feature in Vatican-U.S. dialogue.

Still, experts like Puglisi remain cautious. He warned that the level of media attention surrounding the new ambassadors has been unusually high and suggested they follow an old Latin adage: “ne quid nimis,” or “nothing in excess.”

Third Rome-Area Position Awaiting Finalization

In addition to the two key appointments, Trump has nominated Lynda Blanchard as the ambassador to the three UN food agencies based in Rome. Blanchard previously held a post as the U.S. ambassador to Slovenia and comes from a business background as well.

Her nomination is still awaiting Senate confirmation. If approved, she would round out a trio of controversial picks representing American interests in Rome during the Trump administration’s second term.

While early stumbles and spectacle marked the initial chapters of Fertitta’s and Burch’s diplomatic roles, the recent shift toward conventional diplomacy may signal an attempt to steady the tone of U.S. foreign relations in Rome, in spite of their unconventional paths to these influential posts.