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

The initiative seeks to settle the Israel-Gaza conflict, but the Vatican says the UN should manage such crises.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Vatican's top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has announced that Pope Leo XIV will not be accepting President Donald Trump's invitation to join the 'Board of Peace' intended to broker peace in Gaza. Parolin cited concerns that international crises should be managed by the United Nations, and said the Vatican would not be able to contribute financially as required of other participating countries.

Why it matters

The 'Board of Peace' initiative represents the Trump administration's latest attempt to resolve the longstanding Israel-Gaza conflict. The Vatican's refusal to participate is a setback, as the involvement of religious leaders could lend moral authority and legitimacy to the process. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the White House and the Catholic Church over political and diplomatic matters.

The details

The 'Board of Peace' already includes leaders from 26 countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Others have expressed interest in joining. However, Parolin stated that 'at the international level it should above all be the [United Nations] that manages these crisis situations.' He also noted that the Vatican would not be able to contribute financially, as is required of other participating states.

  • President Trump extended the invitation to Pope Leo XIV last month.
  • On Tuesday, Parolin announced the pope would not be participating in the 'Board of Peace'.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who established the 'Board of Peace' initiative.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope of the Catholic Church, who was invited by President Trump to join the 'Board of Peace'.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

The Vatican's top diplomatic official, who announced the Pope's decision not to participate in the 'Board of Peace'.

Jared Kushner

President Trump's son-in-law, who is a member of the 'Board of Peace'.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State, who is also a member of the 'Board of Peace'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“One concern is that at the international level it should above all be the [United Nations] that manages these crisis situations. This is one of the points on which we have insisted.”

— Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican's Top Diplomatic Official (theblaze.com)

“I don't think that peace should be partisan or political or controversial. And of course the administration wants all those who were invited to join the Board of Peace to join.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (theblaze.com)

What’s next

The White House has expressed disappointment in the Vatican's decision and stated that they want all invited countries to join the 'Board of Peace' initiative.

The takeaway

The Vatican's refusal to participate in President Trump's 'Board of Peace' highlights the ongoing tensions between the Catholic Church and the White House over political and diplomatic matters. It also underscores the challenges of resolving the complex Israel-Gaza conflict, as even the involvement of religious leaders is seen as insufficient by the Vatican, which believes the United Nations should take the lead on such international crises.