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Vatican Declines Participation in Trump's 'Board of Peace'
The Holy See cites concerns over the board's structure and the role of the United Nations in crisis management.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The Vatican has announced that it will not participate in U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called 'Board of Peace' initiative. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official, stated that the Holy See has concerns over the board's 'particular nature' and believes that crisis situations should be managed primarily by the United Nations.
Why it matters
The Vatican's decision to abstain from Trump's 'Board of Peace' highlights ongoing tensions between the Holy See and the former U.S. president's policies. Pope Leo, the first U.S. pope, has been a vocal critic of some of Trump's actions, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza. The Vatican's refusal to join the board also raises questions about the board's legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing global conflicts.
The details
Trump's 'Board of Peace' was initially conceived to oversee the temporary governance of Gaza following a fragile ceasefire in October 2025. The board was then intended to be expanded to tackle other global conflicts, with Trump as the chair. However, the Vatican's Cardinal 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.' Parolin also expressed concern that 'at the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations.'
- On January 2026, Pope Leo was invited to join the 'Board of Peace'.
- On February 17, 2026, Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced the Vatican's decision not to participate in the board.
The players
Donald Trump
The former U.S. president who proposed the 'Board of Peace' initiative.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
The Vatican's top diplomatic official who announced the Holy See's decision not to participate in the 'Board of Peace'.
Pope Leo
The first U.S. pope and a critic of some of Trump's policies, who was invited to join the 'Board of Peace'.
What they’re saying
“The Holy See 'will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States.'”
— Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican's Top Diplomatic Official (marketscreener.com)
“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.”
— Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican's Top Diplomatic Official (marketscreener.com)
What’s next
The 'Board of Peace' is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Washington on Thursday to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza.
The takeaway
The Vatican's refusal to participate in Trump's 'Board of Peace' highlights the ongoing tensions between the Holy See and the former U.S. president's policies, particularly regarding the role of the United Nations in managing global crises. This decision raises questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the board in addressing international conflicts.
