Trump invited the Vatican to the new “Peace Board.” The Holy See confirms that Leo XIV is considering accepting
The Holy See has received an invitation for Pope León XIV to join Donald Trump's proposed Board of Peace for Gaza. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the invitation requires careful study and time before a decision is made. Trump's initiative aims to create an international body to steer a political settlement in Gaza, positioning it as an alternative to the United Nations. Participation in the Board of Peace requires a financial contribution of 1 billion euros, which the Holy See cannot meet. Israel and several other nations, including Argentina, Hungary, and the UAE, have formally accepted invitations to join the board.
about 1 month ago
Pope Leo XIV has personally received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join the "Board of Peace" focused on Gaza.1 2 3
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed the Holy See is studying the proposal in depth and requires time for a response.1 2 3 5
Parolin noted Italy is also reflecting on participation.1 3 5
The board aims to oversee Gaza's transition from conflict to peace, including governance and reconstruction, as part of Trump's "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict."3
It operates independently of the United Nations, which Trump has criticized as ineffective.1 2
Membership involves a three-year term, with permanent seats available for a $1 billion contribution from participating countries.2 3
Israel, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Belarus, and Hungary have accepted.1 2 5
Additional acceptances include Argentina, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Vietnam, and Kosovo.2
France, Norway, and Sweden have declined, prompting Trump to threaten 200% tariffs on French wine.2 3
Russia is awaiting more details.2
Parolin emphasized the Vatican cannot make financial contributions and would participate differently from nation-states.1 2 3 5
The Holy See's role would leverage moral authority rather than economic or military power.2
Parolin described U.S.-Europe tensions as unhealthy, worsening an already serious international situation.1 2 3 5
He stressed respecting international law, referencing Trump's World Economic Forum remarks on acquiring Greenland.1 2 5
Reducing polemics and addressing issues calmly is essential, Parolin advised.1 2
Evaluate the Holy See’s criteria for diplomatic participation in peace initiatives
The Holy See's diplomatic participation in peace initiatives is guided by a consistent set of criteria drawn from Catholic social doctrine and papal teaching: the promotion of human dignity, justice, non-violence, dialogue, and the universal common good, pursued through non-partisan, morally grounded interventions that prioritize the human person over national or ideological interests. This approach distinguishes the Holy See's diplomacy as a moral voice rather than a political actor, emphasizing discreet collaboration, proportionality in conflict, humanitarian aid, and solutions like the two-state framework in longstanding disputes such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Holy See exercises full international juridical personality, enabling it to engage in diplomacy not for territorial gain or partisan advantage, but to serve the entire human family through treaties, delegations, and mediation. This sovereignty is "marked by organizational unity and independence," allowing participation in intergovernmental organizations and conflict mediation while maintaining a prophetic, non-interested stance. Popes have historically framed this role as a "witness to our deep-seated respect for lawful temporal power" and a contribution to "détente, disarmament, peace, justice, humanitarian measures and aid, [and] development." Participation occurs when initiatives align with these aims, often at the invitation of parties or international bodies, ensuring interventions remain "wise and above all... discreet" to maximize acceptance and effectiveness.
A key criterion is non-partisanship: the Holy See avoids "purely temporal, technical and political affairs" and focuses on "moral and human aspects of justice and fairness." This is evident in addresses to diplomats, where popes pledge "sincere collaboration" without confusing spiritual and temporal competences, intervening concretely "between parties in disagreement" only when it advances evangelical principles like fraternity and reconciliation.
The Holy See evaluates peace initiatives against principles rooted in the dignity of the human person, as outlined across decades of teaching:
Primacy of Human Dignity and Life: Interventions must protect civilians, condemn terrorism and extremism unequivocally, and uphold the right to life amid violence. For instance, statements denounce attacks like that of October 7, 2023, as "barbaric" and "unjustifiable," while calling for hostage releases and proportionality in self-defense under international humanitarian law. Humanitarian crises trigger urgent appeals for aid corridors, medical access, and protection of hospitals, schools, and worship sites, as seen in Gaza responses.
Justice and Legitimate Aspirations: Peace must address root injustices, such as Palestinian rights to land and security alongside Israel's, often endorsing a two-state solution as the "institutional perspective" for mutual aspirations. This extends to broader calls for equitable development, ending discrimination, and integral human progress, rejecting violence from any side while demanding dialogue.
Non-Violence and Dialogue: War is "always a defeat for humanity," fueling cycles of hatred; thus, the Holy See prioritizes "audacity to renew... commitment toward a peace based on justice," de-escalation, and cessation of hostilities. It supports "honest dialogue" and "culture of encounter," intervening when paths seem "narrow" but viable, as in Middle East truces or regional tensions.
Common Good Over National Interests: Diplomacy stems from a "vision of the human person" and "freedom linked to truth," not ideology, promoting "international justice and universal non-violent freedom." This criterion ensures participation builds "a civilization of love," aiding disarmament, refugee support, and democratic freedoms without favoring any state.
These criteria are applied consistently, with recent sources like Pope Leo XIV's affirming continuity in addressing Holy Land crises, violence in the West Bank, and truce fragility.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict exemplifies the Holy See's criteria in action. Participation involves condemning extremism (Hamas attacks), critiquing disproportionate responses, and advocating humanitarian access amid "total siege" conditions. Popes invoke Jerusalem's status as a "City of Peace" demanding resolution, supporting UNRWA for refugee education toward peace, and urging "believers to take just one side... that of peace." Diplomatic leverage, including ties with leaders, is used judiciously for "sustainable peace," as queried of Pope Leo XIV. Older addresses reinforce this: John Paul II highlighted Palestinian "indisputable rights" and Israeli security via dialogue, rejecting unacceptable methods.
The criteria's strength lies in their universality and prophetic character, enabling "active presence" at conferences without technical overreach, fostering trust as a neutral broker. This has sustained efforts from Paul VI's concrete interventions to Francis's and Leo XIV's condemnations of "third world war piecemeal." Challenges include limited means and reliance on invitations, yet the approach yields moral authority, as in supporting UN agencies and regional dialogues.
In summary, the Holy See's criteria for diplomatic participation—human dignity, justice, dialogue, non-violence, and common good—form a coherent, enduring framework, applied impartially to advance peace without compromising spiritual independence. This moral diplomacy not only critiques violence but propels initiatives toward lasting fraternity, as consistently witnessed in papal and Holy See statements.