The Vatican’s top diplomat has stated that the United Nations should manage global problems in its place, and the Vatican has refused to join President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace proposal.
The Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, made the announcement Tuesday, stating that the Holy See is distinct from other states due to its special characteristics.
Parolin stated, “The Holy See will not participate in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is obviously not that of other States.”
He went on to say that the Vatican thinks the UN should take the lead in handling global emergencies.
One worry is that the UN should be in charge of handling these crisis circumstances on a global scale. We have pressed on this subject, among others,” he stated.
Back in January, Trump asked Pope Leo, the first American pope and a critic of several of his policies, to join the board.
As part of his Gaza strategy, which resulted in a tenuous ceasefire in October, Trump established the Board of Peace. The board was meant to oversee the interim administration of Gaza. Later, Trump appointed himself chair and broadened his purpose to address international crises. On Thursday, the board meets for the first time in Washington to talk about rebuilding Gaza.
According to information obtained by Naija News, because neither country has formally joined the board, representatives from Italy and the EU have stated they will attend Thursday’s meeting as observers.
Critics Challenge the Colonial System
Having Trump lead a board that oversees the activities of a foreign country appears to be colonial, according to numerous rights experts. The absence of any Palestinian representatives on the board, which was established last month, has also sparked criticism.
Trump’s invitation has been met with cautious responses from other nations. While some of Washington’s partners in the Middle East have joined, Western allies have so far remained neutral. The board may jeopardize the United Nations, according to experts.
Since it started in October, there have been numerous violations of the Gaza truce, with allegations of four Israeli soldiers and hundreds of Palestinian casualties.
Over 72,000 people have died as a result of Israel’s attack on Gaza, which has also caused a hunger crisis and forced the entire population to evacuate.
According to a UN investigation, numerous rights experts, and academics, the campaign is equivalent to genocide. Following an onslaught by Hamas-led militants in late 2023 that claimed 1,200 lives and abducted over 250 hostages, Israel claims its actions are self-defense.
Pope Leo has voiced his concerns about the situation in Gaza on numerous occasions. Rarely does the pope, who is in charge of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, serve on international boards. The Vatican maintains permanent observer status at the UN and has a comprehensive diplomatic service.
