List of ambassadors of the United States to Italy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ambassador of the United States to Italy
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Jack Markell since September 23, 2023
Residence	Villa Taverna, Rome
Nominator	The President of the United States
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Inaugural holder	John Nelson as Chargé d'Affaires
Formation	October 24, 1831
Website	U.S. Embassy – Rome

An Ambassador is a very important person who represents their country in another country. Since 1840, the United States has had people representing it in Italy. This means the U.S. and Italy have a special relationship called diplomacy, where they talk and work together.

There was a time when the U.S. and Italy were at war during World War II, from 1941 to 1944. During this time, they didn't have ambassadors. Today, the main U.S. office in Italy is the Embassy of the United States in Rome. There are also six other smaller offices called consular offices.

Since 2006, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy also represents the U.S. in San Marino, a tiny country surrounded by Italy.

What Does a U.S. Ambassador to Italy Do?

The U.S. Ambassador to Italy is the top diplomat for the United States in Italy. Their job is to help keep a good relationship between the two countries. They work on things like trade, safety, and cultural exchange. They also help American citizens who are living in or visiting Italy.

The Ambassador is chosen by the President of the United States. Then, the United States Senate has to agree with the President's choice.

A Look at U.S. Representatives in Italy Over Time

The United States has had different types of representatives in Italy throughout history. These representatives had different titles depending on how important their role was at the time.

• Chargé d'Affaires: This was often a temporary or lower-level diplomat.
• Minister Resident or Envoy: These were higher-level diplomats, but not as high as an Ambassador.
• Ambassador: This is the highest rank for a diplomat. It means the two countries have a very strong and important relationship.

The U.S. diplomatic offices moved around Italy as the country changed. First, there was an office in Naples, then Turin, then Florence, and finally in Rome, where the main Embassy is today.

Early U.S. Representatives in Naples (1831–1860)

The first U.S. representative in what is now Italy was in Naples. This was before Italy was a united country.

The office in Naples closed in 1860.

U.S. Representatives in Turin (1840–1865)

As Italy began to unite, the U.S. opened an office in Turin.

U.S. Representatives in Florence (1865–1871)

Florence became the capital of Italy for a short time, and the U.S. office moved there.

U.S. Representatives in Rome (1871–Present)

Rome became the capital of Italy, and the U.S. diplomatic office moved there in 1871. In 1894, the U.S. changed its top representative in Italy from an Envoy to a full Ambassador, showing the growing importance of the relationship.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome closed on December 11, 1941, because Italy declared war on the United States during World War II. After the war, diplomatic relations started again on October 16, 1944. Ambassador Alexander C. Kirk reopened the Embassy on January 8, 1945.

See also

• Italian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
• Embassy of the United States, Rome
• Italy – United States relations
• Foreign relations of Italy
• Ambassadors of the United States
• List of ambassadors of Italy to the United States