The Trump Board of Peace will move forward without the Vatican after Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s top diplomatic official, said Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, that the Vatican will not participate in the initiative.
Parolin said international crisis management should be handled primarily through the United Nations, not through a new board led by a single country.
The board is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Washington on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, with Gaza reconstruction expected to be the central topic. Italy and the European Union have said they plan to attend as observers rather than members.
Why the Vatican says no to the Trump Board of Peace
Parolin described the decision as tied to the Holy See’s particular status in international affairs. The Vatican, also known as the Holy See, is not structured like other states that join intergovernmental bodies, and it typically operates through diplomatic channels and humanitarian engagement rather than membership in governing boards.
Parolin also pointed to a wider concern about how major crises are managed internationally. He said the Vatican has insisted that the United Nations should be the primary venue for addressing conflicts and emergencies that cross borders. His comments reflected a consistent Vatican approach: emphasizing multilateral mechanisms and international law, while keeping the Holy See’s role distinct from the decision-making structures used by states.
Pope Leo XIV, described in reporting as the first U.S.-born pope, was invited in January 2026 to join the board. The pope has criticized some Trump policies and has repeatedly spoken about conditions in Gaza. The Vatican’s stance indicates the pope will not take part in the board’s work, even as the Holy See continues to engage countries through its diplomatic network and its long-standing position as a permanent observer at the United Nations.
What the Trump Board of Peace is meant to do
The Trump Board of Peace was initially linked to a U.S.-led Gaza plan that preceded a ceasefire that began in October 2025. Under that approach, the board was intended to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance during a transition period. After the ceasefire began, Trump said the board would be expanded beyond Gaza to address other global conflicts, with Trump serving as chair.
According to reporting on the upcoming Washington meeting, the first session is expected to focus on Gaza’s reconstruction and the practical questions that follow the war, including funding, logistics, and security arrangements tied to rebuilding.
Supporters of the concept argue that a dedicated forum can concentrate attention and resources, particularly when governments struggle to coordinate reconstruction across multiple agencies and institutions. They also say it can bring together countries willing to contribute funding and personnel in a way that moves faster than existing diplomatic processes.
Critics, however, have raised objections about legitimacy and representation. Some rights experts have argued that a board led by a U.S. president overseeing a foreign territory’s affairs resembles a colonial-style structure. The initiative has also drawn criticism for not including a Palestinian representative, an issue that critics say weakens claims that it can credibly guide Gaza’s political and economic future.
