President Barack Obama has nominated prominent Catholic theologian Miguel Diaz to be U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. In a statement issued late May 27, the White House announced Diaz's nomination, along with nominees for ambassadors to the United Kingdom, France, Japan, India and several other countries. Diaz, 45, is a professor of theology at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University, both in Collegeville, Minn. Diaz served as a member of Obama's Catholic advisory team during the campaign and was a regular campaign spokesman on Obama's behalf, particularly in the Spanish-language press. "I am very honored, grateful, and humbled that President Obama has nominated me to serve as ambassador to the Holy See," said Diaz. "If confirmed by the U.S. Senate I will continue the work of my predecessors and build upon 25 years of formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See. I wish to be a bridge between our nation and the Holy See."