Story highlights Gingrich is a devout Catholic and has said she has "always been a very spiritual person"

The White House hopes to name Gingrich as ambassador before Trump meets with Pope Francis on May 24

Washington (CNN) Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is the preferred nominee to be the next ambassador to the Vatican.

The White House hopes to announce her nomination before President Donald Trump meets with Pope Francis on May 24 in Rome.

An administration official said the decision to nominate Gingrich has been made but the announcement has taken longer than expected pending approval from the Office of Government Ethics.

A spokesman for the ethics office told CNN on Monday that Gingrich's financial disclosures had been approved five weeks ago. The office is awaiting the formal nomination from the White House.

"OGE completed its work and cleared her report on April 7," spokesman Vince Salamone said.

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