Vatican Refuses to Join Board of Peace: Trump's Response

US President Donald Trump has responded to the Vatican’s refusal to join his Board of Peace (BoP). The Vatican maintains that the United Nations should be entrusted with handling the Gaza crisis.

Although Italy and the European Union have announced plans to attend the council’s inaugural meeting as observers, the Vatican has confirmed it will not “participate in the Board of Peace due to its special nature, which is clearly different from other states.”

Trump, through White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, called the Vatican’s decision “very regrettable.”

“I believe peace should not be partisan, political, or controversial. And of course, the government wants all those invited to join the peace council to participate,” Leavitt said on Wednesday, 19 February 2026, as reported by CNN International.

“This is a legitimate organisation with dozens of member countries from around the world, and we think it is a regrettable decision,” she added.

Previously, the Vatican refused to be part of President Trump’s Board of Peace overseeing the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters on Wednesday.

Parolin said there were “points that left us somewhat confused. There are several important points that need clarification,” according to the Holy See’s official news agency, Vatican News.

“What matters is that efforts are being made to provide a response,” he continued. “However, for us there are several important issues that must be resolved. One concern is that at the international level, it is the UN that should be managing this crisis situation. This is one of the points we have emphasised.”

The Vatican is not the only state to have declined the invitation. Britain, France, and Norway have also not signed up for Trump’s council. Diplomats, officials, and world leaders have expressed concern over the council’s expanded authority, Trump’s unlimited leadership role, and the potential damage it could inflict on the work of the UN.

Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, has made peace a central part of his papacy, warning last month that “war is becoming a trend again” in an important diplomatic address. Leo emphasised that the UN “must play a key role” in addressing conflicts whilst affirming the importance of humanitarian law.