Vatican Declines Participation in Trump's 'Board of Peace'

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The Vatican has announced that it will not participate in President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' initiative, according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official. Parolin cited the board's 'particular nature' as the reason for the decision, and expressed the Vatican's view that international crisis situations should be managed primarily by the United Nations.

Why it matters

The Vatican's decision not to join the board is significant, as Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, was invited to participate in January. The board was initially meant to oversee the temporary governance of Gaza under Trump's peace plan, but the president later said it would be expanded to tackle global conflicts. The Vatican's refusal to join the board raises questions about the board's legitimacy and the extent to which it can effectively address international crises without the participation of key global actors.

The details

According to Parolin, the Vatican's main concern is that the 'Board of Peace' does not align with the role of the United Nations in managing international crisis situations. The Vatican has an extensive diplomatic service and is a permanent observer at the UN, and it believes that the UN should be the primary body responsible for handling global conflicts. Parolin also noted that the 'particular nature' of the board was not suitable for the Vatican's participation.

• On January 2026, Pope Leo XIV was invited to join the 'Board of Peace'.
• On February 18, 2026, the Vatican announced that it will not participate in the 'Board of Peace' initiative.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The 'Board of Peace' is set to hold its first meeting in Washington on Thursday to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. It remains to be seen how the board will proceed without the participation of the Vatican, a key global actor.