Vatican Declines Invitation to Join Trump's 'Board of Peace'

Cardinal Parolin cites concerns over the body's 'particular nature' and the need for the UN to manage global crises.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 5:55pm

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The Vatican's cardinal secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, has announced that the Holy See will not participate in the 'Board of Peace' proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Parolin cited concerns over the body's 'particular nature' and the need for the United Nations to manage global crisis situations. He also expressed 'considerable pessimism' regarding the prospects for a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Why it matters

The Vatican's decision not to join the 'Board of Peace' reflects its longstanding preference for multilateral institutions like the UN to play a central role in conflict resolution and global affairs. This decision also highlights the Vatican's cautious approach to engaging with initiatives proposed by individual national leaders, especially when they appear to challenge the authority of established international organizations.

The details

Parolin stated that the Holy See 'will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States.' He specifically noted concerns that the body could weaken the role of the UN in managing global crises. Trump had proposed the 'Board of Peace' as part of his peace plan for Gaza, envisioning it as a new international transitional body that he would chair personally.

  • The 'Board of Peace' was first proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in September 2025.
  • The first meeting of the 'Board of Peace' is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The players

Pietro Parolin

The Vatican's cardinal secretary of state, who announced the Holy See's decision not to participate in the 'Board of Peace'.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who proposed the creation of the 'Board of Peace' as part of his peace plan for Gaza.

Sergio Mattarella

The president of Italy, who met with Cardinal Parolin at the Holy See's embassy in Italy to mark the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts.

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What they’re saying

“There are points that leave us somewhat perplexed, some critical points that would need to find explanations.”

— Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State, Vatican

“This is one of the points on which we have insisted, that at the international level, it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations.”

— Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State, Vatican

“On both sides it does not seem to us that there are real advances regarding peace, and it is tragic that after four years, we still find ourselves at this point.”

— Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State, Vatican

What’s next

The 'Board of Peace' is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C., despite the Vatican's decision not to participate.

The takeaway

The Vatican's refusal to join the 'Board of Peace' underscores its preference for working through established multilateral institutions like the United Nations to address global conflicts and crises, rather than engaging with initiatives proposed by individual national leaders. This decision reflects the Holy See's cautious and principled approach to foreign policy.