Vatican Declines Trump’s Board of Peace Initiative

The Vatican announced its decision to abstain from Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” stating that such an initiative does not align with its role as a sovereign entity. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s chief diplomat, made this statement on Tuesday.

Following Pope Leo’s invitation in January for participation in the board, which was meant to oversee Gaza’s governance during a temporary ceasefire initiated by Trump’s Gaza plan, Italy and the European Union have indicated they would attend as observers rather than join.

Parolin emphasized that efforts to manage crisis situations should be handled by the United Nations. He expressed concern over the initiative’s colonial undertones and its potential to undermine UN operations. The board’s inaugural meeting is set for Thursday in Washington, where it will deliberate on Gaza’s reconstruction.

Many experts have raised concerns about Trump’s leadership of such a board overseeing foreign territories’ affairs. Critics argue that the board lacks inclusivity by excluding Palestinians from Hamas.

The Vatican’s stance reflects broader international skepticism toward the board; Italy and most EU nations are observers rather than participants, though some Middle Eastern allies have joined while Western allies remain unaffiliated.

Despite this, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza has faced continuous violations with over 72,000 Palestinian casualties—ranging from deaths to hunger-related issues—and displacement of Gaza’s entire population. Rights groups and a UN inquiry characterize these events as genocide, which Israel disputes as self-defense following Hamas’s deadly attack and hostage situation.

Pope Leo has consistently condemned the conditions in Gaza, underscoring the Vatican’s unique diplomatic status within the international community, with extensive representation at the United Nations and no history of participation in such advisory boards.