President Donald Trump has invited Pope Leo XIV to join his “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict, as confirmed by a Vatican spokesperson who noted that the invitation is under consideration.
The charter seeks to end the ongoing violence in Gaza and has already attracted leaders from 17 nations, including Argentina, Hungary, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s diplomatic representative, stated, “The pope has received an invitation, and we are considering what to do. I believe it will require some time for us to respond.”
Parolin also mentioned that while member nations are expected to contribute financially, the Vatican is not in a position to do so. He remarked, “We are not even in a position to do that. However, we find ourselves in a different situation compared to other countries, so it will require different considerations, but I think the request will not be for financial participation.”
On Thursday, several world leaders participated in a signing ceremony for the peace charter at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump has also invited additional countries, including Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, Vietnam, Finland, and Ukraine, to join the initiative.
Trump is leading the board, which includes his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Gaza conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and more than 200 hostages, including some Americans. In response, Israel has launched a significant military operation targeting Hamas leaders.
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Pope Leo XIV is notable for being the first pope from America in the history of the church. His conservative views have drawn praise, but some critics express concern over his perceived alignment with “woke” ideologies.
According to Reuters, the pope “rarely” participates in international boards.
