Pope Leo Declines Trump’s “Board of Peace” Invitation with Strong Rejection
President Donald Trump recently launched a bold initiative called the “Board of Peace”, aiming to tackle global conflicts in hotspots like Gaza. The plan invited nations to join — for a hefty $1 billion permanent membership fee — but the response has been far from unanimous.
Several major countries, including Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Ukraine, turned down the invitation. Others, such as Israel, Argentina, Russia, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia, accepted, signaling mixed international reception.
In January, Trump extended an invitation to Pope Leo, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, but the Vatican’s response has now made headlines — and it’s firm.
The Vatican Speaks Out
Initially, the Vatican remained silent, stating the Pope needed time to consider the invitation. Now, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat, confirmed that Pope Leo will not participate. He explained that conflicts like the Gaza crisis are best addressed by international bodies like the United Nations, rather than a board led by a single nation.
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