United States President, Donald Trump, has invited Pope Leo XIV to join his newly formed “Board of Peace,” according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomatic official.
Parolin revealed on Wednesday that the pontiff, who became the first American pope and has openly opposed certain Trump policies, is currently reviewing the proposal.
“The pope has received an invitation and we are considering what to do,” Parolin told journalists. “I believe it will be something that requires a bit of time for consideration before giving a response.”
Originally conceived as a mechanism to help resolve the Gaza conflict, the Board of Peace has evolved under Trump’s vision to address global disputes on a wider scale.
While nations like Israel and Egypt have embraced the proposal, numerous others remain hesitant, with diplomatic sources cautioning that the initiative might weaken the United Nations’ existing framework.
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Pope Leo, who assumed office last May, has pursued a measured yet resolute approach to international relations.
He has consistently condemned the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, notably during a powerful Christmas Eve homily.
As spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope seldom participates in international boards. The Vatican operates an extensive diplomatic presence and holds permanent observer status at the United Nations, where it frequently engages in policy discussions.
(Reuters)