Vatican Pushes UN to Handle Crisis as Pope Leo Rejects Trump's Plan

The Vatican has declined an invitation from President Trump to join his newly created "Board of Peace," voicing that international crises should be managed by the United Nations. The board was introduced as part of Trump's proposal involving Gaza.

Vatican's Response

In a statement, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s chief diplomat, explained that the Holy See chooses not to join the initiative due to its unique role and does not operate like a typical sovereign state. He emphasized that the UN should manage international crises, consistent with the Vatican's longstanding stance.

Global Participation

Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff, received the invitation in January. Despite maintaining a wide diplomatic presence at the UN, the Vatican rarely engages directly in political bodies. President Trump had invited 60 nations to participate in this board.

International Reactions

Although over 20 countries have agreed to join, including Israel and Russia, several key Western allies like France and Germany have opted out. The United Kingdom and Italy are also absent from the list. Trump's invitation to Canada was rescinded due to a tariff conflict with Prime Minister Mark Carney.