The Vatican has officially stated that it will not participate in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial 'Board of Peace.' The decision comes as the Holy See emphasizes the necessity for the United Nations to spearhead crisis management efforts amid the current humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who serves as the Vatican’s chief diplomat, expressed on Tuesday that the Holy See’s abstention is a result of concerns regarding the structure of the board, stating that it does not align with the traditional roles of established states. He stressed that, concerning international affairs, it should principally be the responsibility of the UN to tackle such crisis situations, a principle the Vatican has consistently advocated for.
Pope Leo, who is the first pontiff from the United States and a known critic of certain policies of Trump, received an invitation to join this board back in January. This initiative was initially designed to oversee temporary governance in Gaza following the fragile ceasefire established in October as part of Trump’s broader Gaza strategy. However, Trump later expanded the board's responsibilities to encompass global conflict resolutions, with the inaugural meeting set for Thursday in Washington to focus on Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.
Countries such as Italy and the European Union have indicated that while they will send representatives, they will attend solely as observers rather than being full members of the board. Detractors argue that a U.S.-led board appropriating oversight over foreign territories bears a resemblance to colonial governance, particularly noting the absence of a Palestinian representative.
Responses from experts and various governments to Trump’s invitation have been guarded, warning that such a board could potentially undercut the authority of the United Nations. Although some U.S. allies in the Middle East are participating, many of their Western counterparts have decided to stay away from the initiative.
The ceasefire in Gaza has faced numerous violations, leading to the loss of hundreds of Palestinian lives and four Israeli soldiers since the ceasefire began in October. Israeli military actions have resulted in over 72,000 casualties, widespread famine, and significant internal displacements within Gaza. Multiple human rights advocates and a UN investigation have characterized these military campaigns as tantamount to genocide, while Israel defends its actions as necessary self-defense following Hamas-driven assaults in late 2023 that claimed 1,200 lives and led to over 250 kidnappings.
Pope Leo has consistently condemned the dire humanitarian conditions unfolding in Gaza. As the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, he seldom engages in international boards, preferring instead to utilize the Vatican’s comprehensive diplomatic channels, which maintain a status as a permanent observer at the United Nations.
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