Pope Leo XIV delivered a diplomatic rebuke to President Donald Trump on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, declining an invitation to take part in the administration’s controversial Board of Peace as the Vatican cautioned that the initiative could weaken the United Nations.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State and top diplomatic official, said the Holy See “will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular status, which he noted differs clearly from that of other countries.” The announcement arrived just three days before the board’s first planned meeting in Washington on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The pope, spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, received the invitation in January as Trump expanded the board’s purpose beyond overseeing Gaza’s interim administration. Trump, who chairs the board with sweeping veto powers and full authority over membership, has promoted it as a forum to tackle global conflicts and supervise Gaza’s redevelopment following the Israel-Hamas war.
“One issue is that at the global level, it should primarily be the UN that handles these crisis situations,” Parolin told reporters. “This is a point we have emphasized.”
The Vatican’s refusal deals a significant diplomatic setback to Trump, who unveiled the Board of Peace concept last fall and formally launched it last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the Vatican’s decision “deeply unfortunate,” defending the administration’s broad vision for rebuilding Gaza.
“I don’t think peace should be partisan, political, or contentious,” Leavitt said. “This is a legitimate body with dozens of member nations from across the globe.”
Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has been an outspoken critic of several Trump policies. He has repeatedly denounced civilian deaths and humanitarian conditions in Gaza after Israel’s response to the Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 people in Israel. The Board of Peace has pressured Hamas to disarm and coordinated rebuilding efforts, with Trump announcing $5 billion in pledges from board members for reconstruction.
The Vatican’s concerns echo those expressed by numerous Western allies. Italy and the European Union intend to attend Thursday’s meeting as observers but have not joined. France, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have turned down invitations or voiced strong skepticism.
Human rights advocates have criticized the board’s framework, arguing that Trump overseeing a body charged with the administration of a foreign territory resembles a colonial setup. Critics also highlight the minimal involvement of Palestinian representatives. Trump has exclusive veto authority and the sole right to invite members, and his role as chair has no set term limit—he may continue indefinitely, even once out of office.
The board’s administrative offices operate from the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, formerly the U.S. Institute of Peace. Russia, China, and Turkey were invited to participate, though Russia announced this week it would not attend Thursday’s meeting. While some Middle Eastern nations have joined, most Western countries remain hesitant, fearing the board could undermine the U.N. system.
The Vatican maintains a widespread diplomatic presence and serves as a permanent observer at the United Nations. Popes seldom join such international boards directly, usually favoring long-established diplomatic channels and the broader UN structure.
A senior Trump administration official said the Pope and Vatican “are welcome to join the many other nations who are committed to the Board of Peace,” though the official would not provide details about diplomatic discussions.
President Trump convened the board’s first session on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., bringing together delegates from more than 40 countries for a three-hour summit focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and regional security. Trump announced a U.S. contribution of $10 billion, while other members committed about $7 billion more. Five nations—Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Morocco—agreed to supply troops for a 20,000‑member International Stabilization Force, with Egypt and Jordan pledging to train 12,000 Palestinian police officers. The first deployment is expected to begin in Rafah in southern Gaza as reconstruction gets underway.
In his comments, Trump also addressed heightened tensions with Iran, saying a decision on potential military action would likely come within “10 to 15 days,” adding, “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal.”
The Board of Peace—described by Trump as a possible successor to the United Nations—was officially established in January 2026 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with 25 of 62 invited countries signing its founding charter.
The Vatican’s refusal to join highlights growing global disagreement over how to handle the Gaza crisis and whether Trump’s new institution will complement or rival established bodies like the United Nations. With Pope Leo XIV aligning with other skeptics, Trump’s Board of Peace faces a significant challenge in securing legitimacy among key Western partners.