Summary
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, announced on February 17 that the Holy See would not join the Board of Peace, an international body established by US President Donald Trump to address conflicts including the war in Gaza. Parolin confirmed this decision at a meeting with Italian Government officials in Rome and reiterated his stance on February 21. The Vatican expressed concerns about the board’s particular nature and questioned its role in managing crisis situations, particularly regarding the involvement of United Nations organizations. On January 21, Cardinal Parolin indicated that the Holy See was evaluating the proposal but ultimately decided against participation, citing “critical points” that required further explanation. This decision came as President Trump prepared for the board’s first meeting in Washington on February 19. The Vatican Secretary of State highlighted issues such as the role of the United Nations and the need to manage crises effectively without undermining international organizations. The Board of Peace is chaired by President Trump, who has sole authority over its operations. Countries have been invited to join, with more than 60 nations expressing interest; some countries like Argentina, El Salvador, Belarus, Hungary, Egypt, and Morocco have already signed up for the board’s charter. The first full meeting was scheduled for February 19 in Washington, expected to be attended by representatives from over 45 nations. The board aims to contribute $5 billion towards Gaza reconstruction efforts.
Key Topics
Holy See, Trump administration, Board of Peace
