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Kimberly Guilfoyle, the first female U.S. ambassador to Greece and a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, met with Archbishop Ieronymos II on Thursday, marking one of her initial diplomatic engagements since assuming her post in Athens.
During the meeting with the 87-year-old head of Greece’s Orthodox Church, Guilfoyle revealed that the archbishop was the first person she contacted after receiving her nomination to the ambassadorial position.
“It’s wonderful to be here and I’m just very grateful that President Trump has blessed me with the opportunity to serve the United States here in Greece, for the relationship that we have and for that growing and blossoming going forward,” Guilfoyle said during the cordial exchange.
The 56-year-old former California prosecutor and Fox News host, who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr., presented her diplomatic credentials to Greece’s president on November 4, just over a week before this meeting with the influential religious leader.
Ieronymos responded warmly to the new ambassador, expressing gratitude “to the president for the opportunity that he gave us today. May God bless these relations.” Guilfoyle thanked the archbishop “for agreeing to pray for President Trump.”
In a moment of personal reflection during the meeting, Guilfoyle shared, “I just want to tell your beatitude I was very touched when I first got the nomination, we were able to speak on the phone, you were the first person that I called and it was just a very special experience. It made me feel connected spiritually and supported and blessed by the relationship that I know we will continue going forward together to accomplish great things.”
Guilfoyle’s appointment comes at a significant juncture in U.S.-Greek relations. The two NATO allies have strengthened their defense cooperation in recent years, particularly as tensions have periodically flared between Greece and neighboring Turkey, also a NATO member. The Eastern Mediterranean region has grown increasingly important in U.S. strategic calculations, with Greece hosting several American military installations including the naval base at Souda Bay on Crete.
The Trump administration has signaled its intention to maintain strong ties with Greece, a country that has emerged from a decade-long financial crisis to become a relatively stable partner in a volatile region. Greece’s position as a gateway to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa gives it particular geopolitical significance.
Religious diplomacy plays an important role in U.S. relations with Greece, where the Orthodox Church maintains significant cultural and social influence despite the country’s secular governance. By prioritizing this early meeting with Archbishop Ieronymos, Guilfoyle appears to be acknowledging the church’s important position in Greek society.
Guilfoyle’s background represents a departure from traditional diplomatic appointments. Rather than coming from the career foreign service ranks, she brings media experience and close personal ties to the president. This follows a pattern in the Trump administration of appointing loyalists and allies to key diplomatic posts.
As she begins her tenure, Guilfoyle will likely focus on trade relations, defense cooperation, and regional stability issues. The U.S. and Greece have developed increasingly robust economic ties, with American companies showing growing interest in Greek energy, technology, and tourism sectors as the country continues its economic recovery.
The ambassador’s early emphasis on relationship building with key figures in Greek society suggests she intends to use personal diplomacy as a cornerstone of her approach to the post.
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8 Comments
The meeting with the Orthodox Church leader seems like an important symbolic gesture. Greece’s religious heritage is a key part of its national identity, so engaging with the church hierarchy is crucial for any US ambassador.
Interesting to see the new US ambassador visiting the head of the Orthodox Church in Greece. This seems like an important diplomatic outreach, given the strong ties between the church and Greek culture and identity.
I agree, the relationship between the US and the Greek Orthodox Church is important for fostering goodwill and understanding between the two countries.
Kimberly Guilfoyle is a rather controversial figure, but her diplomatic credentials and experience could be an asset in this role. It will be interesting to see how she navigates the nuances of Greek-US relations.
You raise a fair point. Her background and political leanings may raise some eyebrows, but if she can put that aside and focus on diplomacy, she could be effective in the role.
I’m curious to see how Guilfoyle’s background as a Fox News personality and Trump ally will shape her approach to diplomacy in Greece. Will she try to project a more neutral, professional image, or will her partisan leanings seep through?
That’s a fair question. Her political baggage could make building trust and rapport with Greek officials more challenging. Maintaining impartiality will be important for her success as an ambassador.
The Orthodox Church wields significant influence in Greece, so this meeting signals the new ambassador’s intent to engage with key power brokers. Developing a strong relationship with the church hierarchy could pay dividends for US interests in the region.