The Vatican has confirmed it will not participate in U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace,” citing concerns over its structure and the proper role of international organisations in crisis management.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Tuesday the Holy See would abstain because of the board’s “particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States.”
He added that international crises should primarily be managed by the United Nations, a stance the Vatican has consistently emphasized in global diplomacy.
Pope Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff and critic of some Trump policies, was invited to join the board in January, initially focused on Gaza’s governance after the October ceasefire.
Trump later expanded the board’s mandate to address global conflicts.
Its first meeting is scheduled in Washington on Thursday to discuss Gaza reconstruction.
Italy, the European Union, and several other countries plan to attend as observers rather than full members, raising questions about legitimacy and inclusivity.
Critics argued a U.S.-led board supervising Gaza resembles a colonial structure and noted the absence of Palestinian representation among board members.
Experts warned that the initiative could undermine the United Nations’ role in international crisis management, even as some U.S. allies in the Middle East participate.
Since the Gaza ceasefire, hundreds of Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have died, with Israel’s operations causing over 72,000 casualties, displacement, and widespread hunger.
Human rights experts and UN inquiries have described the campaign as genocidal, though Israel maintains its actions are self-defense after Hamas attacks in late 2023 killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages.
Pope Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned the humanitarian crisis. As head of 1.4 billion Catholics, he relies on the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, which serves as a UN permanent observer.
