The Vatican has announced that it will not participate in US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” a proposed international crisis management structure initially focused on the interim government of Gaza. The statement was made by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s top diplomat, who stressed that crisis management should remain under the direction of the United Nations. 
According to Parolin, the Holy See will not be part of this board due to the “particular nature” of the Vatican, which is not comparable to other participating states. He added that one of the main concerns is the risk that the initiative will bypass the traditional role of the UN in managing global conflicts. 
In January, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a critic of some of Trump's policies, had received an invitation to join this mechanism, but after consideration, the Vatican decided not to get involved. 
The “Board of Peace” was initially conceived as part of the US plan for Gaza after the fragile ceasefire reached in October, with the aim of overseeing the interim administration and reconstruction of the territory. The initiative was later expanded by Trump as a platform for addressing global conflicts, with the first meeting expected to be held in Washington to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. 
International reactions have been cautious. Several Middle Eastern countries have expressed a willingness to participate, while some Western allies, including Italy and the European Union, have chosen to be observers only. 
Critics argue that such a structure could duplicate or weaken the role of the UN and have raised concerns about the lack of Palestinian representation in its composition. 
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains tense despite the ceasefire, with reports of ongoing violations and casualties from both sides. 
