Donald Trump's new ambassador to the Vatican, a right-wing Catholic who was sharply critical of the late Pope Francis, has tried to sweeten his diplomacy with Pope Leo, giving the new pontiff a chocolate birthday cake.

Brian Burch gave Leo, the first US pope, a cake made by a Chicago-area dining chain as part of a meeting at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace to formally present his diplomatic credentials.

Leo, originally from Chicago and elected in May to replace Francis, turns 70 on Sunday.

The cake, decorated with a red happy birthday sign, came from Portillo's, a popular local chain known especially for its hot dogs, Italian beef and BBQ ribs.

Burch was a frequent critic of Francis, who led the 1.4-billion-member church for 12 years.

He said the late pope's pastoral agenda, such as be

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