Pope Leo XIV Tells U.S. Ambassador He Is Praying for Charlie Kirk’s Family After Assassination
Pope Leo XIV offered prayers and condolences for conservative activist Charlie Kirk and his family during his first formal meeting with new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the Holy Father told Ambassador Burch that he is praying for Kirk, his wife Erika, and their two children following Kirk’s shocking murder at Utah Valley University last week.
The audience took place Saturday in Rome as Ambassador Burch officially presented his diplomatic credentials. It was the first formal interaction between the newly confirmed U.S. envoy and Pope Leo XIV.
“The pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk,” Bruni said in a statement reported by Vatican News.
The pontiff also reportedly spoke about the rise in political violence, warning against “rhetoric and exploitation that lead to polarization rather than dialogue.”
No Telegram, But Private Prayers
While the pope publicly issued a telegram last month after a deadly shooting at a Minnesota Catholic church, he did not release an official telegram following Kirk’s assassination. Still, his personal remarks to the American ambassador mark the Vatican’s clearest acknowledgment of Kirk’s death and its impact on American society.
Kirk, a 31-year-old father and founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down during a free speech event on campus in Orem, Utah. The alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder after turning himself in at the urging of his family.
A New Era for U.S.–Vatican Relations
Ambassador Burch — a Catholic political activist and the founder of CatholicVote — hosted a diplomatic reception on Monday in Rome, where he described the mood as “somber but resolute.”
“This is a remarkable time to be in Rome,” Burch told assembled cardinals, foreign dignitaries, and Vatican officials. He reflected on his audience with Pope Leo XIV, adding that the pontiff “reminded me he is not an American pope. He is a pope of America for the world.”
Burch’s appointment by President Donald Trump earlier this summer was seen as a signal of renewed alignment between the Vatican and a resurgent U.S. conservative movement — with shared concerns over religious freedom, the dignity of life, and the dangers of radical ideology.
Kirk’s death has sparked an international outpouring of grief and renewed focus on campus free speech and rising political extremism. As Turning Point USA expands its reach in the wake of Kirk’s death, the Vatican’s quiet but meaningful tribute underscores the cultural and spiritual weight of his legacy.