By Micah Jonah
January 22, 2026
Pope Leo has been invited to join United States President, Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” according to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State and top diplomatic official.
Speaking to journalists in Vatican City, Cardinal Parolin confirmed that the Pope has received the invitation and is currently considering it. He said a decision would not be rushed, would require careful evaluation.
“The Pope has received an invitation and we are considering what to do. It will take some time before a response is given,” Parolin said.
The initiative was initially introduced by President Trump as part of efforts to end the conflict in Gaza, but the U.S. leader has since said the board would have a broader mandate to help resolve conflicts around the world.
Some countries, including Israel and Egypt, have reportedly accepted invitations to participate, while others have expressed reservations.
Diplomats in several countries have warned that the initiative could weaken or complicate the role of the United Nations in global conflict resolution.
Pope Leo, who became pontiff in May last year, is the first pope from the United States, has publicly disagreed with some of President Trump’s policies. Since his election, he has adopted a quiet but firm diplomatic approach and has repeatedly spoken out about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including during a strong message delivered on Christmas Eve.
The Pope leads about 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, rarely joins international political bodies. Instead, the Vatican traditionally engages through its diplomatic missions and its permanent observer status at the United Nations, where it regularly participates in international discussions on peace and humanitarian issues.
The Vatican has not yet issued an official response on whether Pope Leo will accept the invitation, no timeline has been given for a final decision.
