WASHINGTON — Pope Leo XIV has declined President Trump’s invitation to participate in his proposed Board of Peace aimed at addressing issues in the troubled Gaza Strip.
The Vatican expressed concerns that such a panel might compromise the United Nations’ authority in handling international crises.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, highlighted these apprehensions, stating, “There are aspects that leave us somewhat uncertain,” according to comments made to reporters.
The Vatican’s chief diplomat further elaborated, “Our main concern is that the UN should primarily oversee these crisis situations at the international level. This has been a consistent point of emphasis from our side.”
In response, a senior official from the Trump administration mentioned to The Post that while the Vatican’s decision is respected, “The Pope and the Vatican are still welcome to join the numerous other nations supporting the Board of Peace initiative.”
The official added, “We will refrain from delving into the specifics of diplomatic discussions.”
Last fall, Trump first unveiled his plans to create the Board of Peace to oversee the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
It was then formally established last month, with a flurry of invites being doled out to countries all over the world, controversially including Russia and countries that have vexed Israel like Turkey.
Trump, who was gifted María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize last month by the Venezuelan opposition leader herself, is the chairman of the Board of Peace.
As chair, he has sweeping powers, including the sole power to issue vetoes and invite countries onto the panel.
Additionally, there appears to be no limit on his tenure, meaning it could extend beyond his presidency.
Recently, the president revealed that his vaunted Board of Peace will convene in DC on Thursday to tout $5 billion in commitments from its members towards rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Its administrative center is in the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
The panel has also been pushing Hamas to disarm, something the terror group has long refused to do.
“It’s going to go to making Gaza happen,” Trump told The Post Tuesday about the agenda for the Board of Peace’s upcoming meeting at the White House.
Multiple US allies, such as France, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and more, have either turned down invites to join the board or raised deep skepticism about it.
