All the Ambassador’s Men

William Cash | 8th May 2025 | Diplomacy, Embassy News, Magazine, Politics
View,Of,St.,Peter's,Basilica,In,The,Vatican,City,In

Trump’s Catholic allies are exerting growing influence in Rome as a new conclave approaches. Backed by wealthy donors and political operatives, they are campaigning for a more traditional pope. Central figures include Brian Burch and Steve Cortes, who see Trump’s return as key to reshaping US–Vatican relations and global Catholic leadership.

William Cash reports from Rome on how American conservative Catholics are trying to win souls and influence the Vatican A rumour is circulating in the Italian press that although there is little chance of an American pope, there is a good chance that if Italy’s Cardinal Parolin—Francis’s Secretary of State—is elected, we may, for the first time, see an American Cardinal appointed as Secretary of State. I have no idea who this might be, but members of Trump’s Catholic circle will be praying over the next 78 hours that it could be the charismatic Cardinal Dolan of New York. He has been acting as a bridge-builder in Rome over the past week, bringing under his wing inexperienced rookie Cardinals—say, from Africa, who hold 18 votes—and educating them in the complex arts of Conclave voting. On the other hand, a more likely candidate may be 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has served as head of the Vatican’s ultra-powerful Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis for the past ...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Money Changes Everything 

William Cash | September 16, 2026

The question of money buying influence in politics is centuries old and not going away

Death of the British staycation

Mace Magazine | September 15, 2026

The government's new 5% tourism tax is the last thing the UK's hospitality sector needs, says William Cash

“Two of our lemurs are missing”: a study in fake global news and a cautionary tale for the PA industry

Mace Magazine | September 11, 2026

One of the world’s richest men has been accused of ‘harbouring stolen lemurs’: The Mace reveals a cautionary tale in fake news.

A “little local difficulty” – Gawain Towler’s Reform Conference Diary

Mace Magazine | September 5, 2026

Seasoned Farage aide-de-camp Gawain Towler reflects on Reform's first ever Business Day at the NEC - and what it's like when a media grenade goes off during the

Tory reshuffle: Kemi shows her ruthless side

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | September 2, 2026

With a new team behind her, the latest Tory reshuffle has put the party on early election watch as well as showing her ruthless side.

Back to school chaos: first day of term report as Burnham faced the Commons

Emelia Wild | September 1, 2026

Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons for the first time as Prime Minister as MPs returned to Parliament. How did he do at the dispatch box and

Silly season is coming to an end: What to expect from Westminster this Autumn

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | August 27, 2026

September and October usually mark the most intense period of political activity in the UK, here is what to expect.

Andy Burnham’s social media strategy faces questions over traditional media

Mace Magazine | August 26, 2026

The former Downing Street communications chief believes “there are hard truths coming” for Burnham.

Industry Watch: John Gill, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Reform UK – “There’s no limit to where a man can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit”

Mace Magazine | August 20, 2026

John Gill's promotion at Reform UK, just before the party launches its inaugural Business Day at its September NEC conference, is indicative of how the party is ramping

Carry on, Clacton

William Cash | August 18, 2026

Wiliam Cash reflects on how the myth of Clacton and its reality has created media distortion when it comes to reporting on Farage’s seaside spiritual HQ.