The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will not join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, dealing a blow to the US president’s efforts to assemble a new global diplomatic forum.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said the Pope had declined the invitation due to “critical issues” surrounding the initiative. “For us, there are some critical issues that should be resolved,” he told reporters, adding that crisis management at international level should primarily fall under the remit of the United Nations.
Trump has invited several world leaders to join the body, initially conceived to oversee a Gaza ceasefire and coordinate reconstruction following the war between Israel and Hamas. The initiative’s scope has since widened, with the former US president suggesting it could address broader global disputes. Critics view the move as an attempt to create an alternative multilateral platform to the UN, which Trump has frequently criticised.
Cardinal Parolin had previously confirmed that the invitation was under consideration, noting it required careful evaluation. The Vatican has now made clear that concerns, particularly about bypassing the UN framework, have led to the Pope’s decision not to participate.
