Holy See Cites Concerns Over Mandate
The Vatican will not join U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Parolin said the Vatican had been left “perplexed” by elements of the initiative and believed key issues remained unresolved.
The board, chaired indefinitely by Trump, was initially conceived to oversee reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Its mandate has since expanded into what organizers describe as a broader global peacekeeping platform. Pope Leo XIV had received an invitation to participate last month.
Parolin indicated that the Vatican’s reservations center on institutional legitimacy and international governance. “At the international level it should above all be the UN that manages these crisis situations,” he said, emphasizing the Holy See’s longstanding position that the United Nations should remain the primary forum for global conflict management.
UN Role Emphasized
The cardinal’s remarks came during an event marking the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts, which established Vatican City as a sovereign state. He added that the Holy See would not participate in the board due to its “particular nature,” suggesting it differs from traditional intergovernmental frameworks.
Several other countries have also declined to join the initiative. Britain, France and Norway have opted out, while Italy and the European Union plan to attend as observers. Diplomats and international officials have raised concerns about the board’s expanded remit, Trump’s indefinite leadership role and potential overlap with existing UN functions.
Pope Leo’s Diplomatic Priorities
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has made peacemaking central to his papacy. In a recent diplomatic address, he warned that “war is back in vogue” and reiterated that the UN “should play a key role” in resolving conflicts while upholding humanitarian law.
Since his election, Leo has repeatedly addressed the conflict in Gaza, calling for a two-state solution and advocating for Palestinians’ right to live peacefully “in their own land.” He has also urged the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, maintained dialogue with Israeli leaders and condemned rising antisemitism.
The pope’s emphasis on international law contrasts with Trump’s more unilateral approach. In a January interview with The New York Times, Trump suggested he feels constrained primarily by his “own morality,” dismissing aspects of the post-World War II international order.
First Meeting Set for Washington
The Board of Peace is scheduled to convene for its inaugural meeting in Washington on Thursday. While the Vatican’s decision underscores its cautious stance toward the initiative, the broader diplomatic debate over the board’s legitimacy and scope is likely to continue as governments assess its role alongside established multilateral institutions.