Vatican declines role in Trump peace board

The Vatican confirmed it will not participate in U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” with the Holy See emphasizing that international crisis management should remain under the United Nations.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy See would not take up the invitation extended earlier this year. He pointed to unresolved issues surrounding the board’s framework, describing certain aspects as “somewhat perplexing.”

“One concern is that at the international level it should above all be the U.N. that manages these crisis situations,” Parolin said, reiterating the Vatican’s long-standing support for multilateral diplomacy.

Originally linked to Gaza’s reconstruction and temporary governance, the Board of Peace has since been expanded into a broader global initiative chaired by Trump. The White House called the Vatican’s decision “deeply unfortunate,” while maintaining that peace efforts should not be political or controversial.

Several countries such as Britain, France, and Norway have declined invitations to formally join the board, although some governments and regional bodies indicated they would attend as observers. Diplomats and analysts have raised questions about the board’s mandate, governance structure, and potential overlap with existing international mechanisms.

The Vatican, which holds permanent observer status at the United Nations, has consistently emphasized humanitarian law and negotiated solutions to conflicts. Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly appealed for civilian protection and renewed calls for a two-state solution, including recognition of Palestinians’ right to live peacefully in their own land.

The Gaza conflict continues to draw international concern. Reports have documented tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, alongside warnings from humanitarian agencies over displacement, hunger, and civilian casualties. International rights experts have expressed alarm over casualty levels, while Israel maintains its actions are in self-defense following the 2023 Hamas attack.

The Board of Peace is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting in Washington.