The Vatican has officially declined to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" initiative, citing its preference for United Nations-led diplomacy.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, confirmed the decision on Tuesday (February 17). He emphasized that the Holy See believes the United Nations must remain the primary body for managing international crises.
Explaining the refusal, Cardinal Parolin noted that the Vatican’s "particular nature" as a religious and moral authority differs from that of other states. "At the international level, it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations," he stated.
President Trump launched the Board of Peace in January, initially to oversee a ceasefire and reconstruction in Gaza. The mandate has since expanded to resolve broader global conflicts. The board’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday (February 19) in Washington, D.C., focusing on a $5 billion reconstruction pledge for Gaza.
The initiative has faced criticism for lacking Palestinian representation and for its "transactional" model, which requires a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership. While some Middle Eastern and Eastern European nations have joined, many Western allies remain cautious.
Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born Pope and a frequent critic of Trump’s unilateral policies—had been considering the invitation since last month before the final rejection was announced.
