“The Holy See will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is evidently not that of other States,” Parolin said.
The Vatican’s decision comes after Pope Leo — the first U.S.-born pope and a critic of some of Trump’s policies — was invited in January to join the board.
Italy and EU to attend only as observers
Italy and the European Union have indicated they will send representatives to the Washington meeting as observers, stopping short of joining the board.
Parolin’s remarks underscored the Holy See’s longstanding position that international crises and peace initiatives should be managed through established multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, rather than ad hoc structures led by individual states.
The Vatican did not announce any alternative participation in the Washington meeting and did not provide further details on its contacts with the U.S. administration regarding the initiative.
Board launched under Trump’s Gaza plan
The “Board of Peace” was created under Trump’s Gaza plan, which led to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October. Under that plan, the board was intended to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance.
Trump later said the board’s mandate would be widened beyond Gaza, with the U.S. president serving as chair, to address global conflicts more broadly.
The board is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Washington on Thursday, where members are expected to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction.