Greg Burke has left Fox News Channel, where he’s been a Rome-based correspondent since 2001, and is joining the Vatican’s communications staff as a senior advisor.

It was just last month that TVNewser interviewed Burke in Italy, where he discussed his newly-obtained dual U.S.-Italian citizenship, and why he valued being stationed in Rome.

“There are more than a billion Catholics, and you have the Vatican here,” he told TVNewser at the time. “You’re always going to have some news out of the Vatican.”

Now Burke will be switching roles, helping the Church with communications strategy.

“I’m a bit nervous but very excited. Let’s just say it’s a challenge,” he tells the AP.  “You’re shaping the message, you’re molding the message, and you’re trying to make sure everyone remains on-message. And that’s tough.”

Burke says he was offered the job twice before but declined both times.  An FNC spokesperson confirms with TVNewser a mutual parting of ways, and says that London-based correspondents Amy Kellogg and Greg Palkot will take the lead on future regonal coverage.

After the jump, WATCH TVNewser’s video interview with Burke in May…