ON POLITICS

Reports: Callista Gingrich to be nominated as Vatican ambassador

Jessica Estepa

USA TODAY

Callista Gingrich looks on during a memorial ceremony to honor the life of former House Minority Leader Rep. Bob Michel (R-IL) in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol on March 9, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House speaker Newt Gingrich, is set to be President Trump's pick for ambassador to the Holy See, according to reports.

The New York Times and CNN reported that Gingrich's nomination could come as soon as this week, ahead of the president's international trip that will include a meeting with Pope Francis.

News of Gingrich's consideration for the position began back in January. She and her husband have known Trump for several years, and Newt Gingrich served as an adviser to Trump's campaign.

Callista Gingrich, a lifelong Catholic, worked on Capitol Hill for several years, first for former Republican Rep. Steve Gunderson of Wisconsin and then for the House Agriculture Committee. During that time, she met and began an affair with Newt Gingrich, and went on to be his third wife.

Since leaving Capitol Hill, she has been president of the multimedia company Gingrich Productions.