Pope Leo XIV has declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join a proposed “Board of Peace,” dealing a blow to the US-led initiative.
The Board of Peace is part of Trump’s broader plan, initially designed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza following the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
However, the initiative has since expanded in scope, with Trump proposing it as a global tool to address multiple conflicts worldwide.
The board is expected to be chaired indefinitely by the US president, a move that has drawn criticism from diplomats and international observers.
What is Pope Leo XIV’s stand on Trump’s initiative?
The Holy See reinforced the Vatican’s position that global conflicts should be handled through the United Nations.
In a decision confirmed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on February 17, the Vatican underscored growing unease among key global players about the structure and intent of the proposed body.
Speaking on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting in Rome, Parolin made it clear the Holy See would not participate, citing unresolved concerns.
“The Holy See will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States. There are points that leave us somewhat perplexed and some critical points that would need to find explanations,” he said as quoted by the National Catholic Reporter.
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Parolin’s remarks reflected deeper concerns within the Vatican about the implications of such a body operating outside established international frameworks.
He stressed that crisis management at the global level should remain under the purview of the United Nations, a position the Holy See has consistently advocated.
“The important thing is that an attempt is being made to provide a response. However, for us, there are certain critical issues that should be resolved. One concern is that at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted,” Parolin added.
Why is Trump’s Board of Peace controversial?
The Vatican’s rejection is particularly notable given Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on peacebuilding and diplomacy since the start of his papacy.
The pontiff, the first American-born pope, has repeatedly called for dialogue, adherence to humanitarian law, and multilateral cooperation in resolving conflicts.
His position on the Israel-Hamas war has been consistent, advocating for a two-state solution and the protection of civilian lives.
The conflict, which began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has since escalated into one of the deadliest crises in recent history.
Meanwhile, reactions to the Vatican’s decision have been swift, with CNN reporting that White House described the move as deeply unfortunate.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin talks to journalists as he leaves after attending a ceremony. Photo: Riccardo De Luca. Source: Getty Images
The Vatican’s stance places it among several influential actors in world politics who have declined to join the initiative.
Several European allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and Norway, have also withheld support, amid fears that the board could undermine the authority and role of the UN.
Despite the pushback, the Trump administration has pressed ahead with the plan, with at least two dozen countries, including Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, agreeing to participate.
Trump is scheduled to host the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington, DC, signalling his administration’s commitment to the initiative.
However, the proposal has sparked broader debate about the future of global diplomacy and the risks of parallel governance structures.
Critics argue that creating alternative platforms outside the UN system could fragment international cooperation at a time when coordinated responses are urgently needed.
