Vatican has opted out of participating in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace,’ instead supporting crisis management led by the United Nations
The Vatican has opted not to participate in Trump’s “Board of Peace,” instead calling on the UN to take the lead in managing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Vatican has announced its decision not to take part in US President Donald Trump’s contentious “Board of Peace” initiative, expressing concerns regarding the board’s structure and the appropriate function of international organizations in managing crises.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s leading diplomatic figure, stated on Tuesday that the Holy See would abstain due to the board’s “particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States.” He stated that, on the international stage, “it should primarily be the UN that oversees these crisis situations,” a point that the Vatican has consistently highlighted.
Pope Leo, the first pope from the United States and a critic of certain policies of Trump, received an invitation to join the board in January. The initiative was originally designed to oversee Gaza’s temporary governance in the wake of the delicate ceasefire established in October as part of Trump’s Gaza plan. Trump subsequently broadened the board’s responsibilities to encompass global conflicts, with the inaugural meeting set to take place in Washington on Thursday to deliberate on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Several countries, such as Italy and the European Union, have expressed that their representatives will participate as observers instead of board members. Critics contend that a US-led board overseeing a foreign territory mirrors a colonial framework and have pointed out the lack of a Palestinian representative on the board.
Experts and governments have responded with caution to Trump’s invitation, cautioning that the board might weaken the role of the United Nations. Washington’s Middle Eastern allies have participated, while numerous Western allies have opted not to engage.
The ceasefire in Gaza has faced numerous violations, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers since October. Israel’s military operations have resulted in more than 72,000 fatalities, extensive hunger, and the internal displacement of Gaza’s residents. Numerous rights experts and a UN inquiry have characterized the campaign as constituting genocide, while Israel asserts that it is responding in self-defense following Hamas-led attacks in late 2023 that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages.
Pope Leo has often condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, he seldom participates in international boards, preferring to depend on the Vatican’s comprehensive diplomatic service, which acts as a permanent observer at the United Nations.
