The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will not participate in President Donald Trump's peace council, citing the council's 'particular nature' which does not involve participation from member states. This decision was communicated by Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who expressed concerns that the council's functioning could undermine the role of the UN in addressing global crisis situations. Parolin emphasized that the UN should primarily handle such issues at the international level.

Originally, the council was intended to oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza. However, the scope of the council has expanded as Trump, who has veto power over all decisions, has elected to invite more participants. This broader invitation has led several Western nations, including Sweden, to decline membership.

The first meeting of the peace council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, further highlighting the urgency and complexity of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international dynamics at play. By rejecting this participation, the Pope's decision underscores a significant rift in global diplomacy regarding peace efforts in the region, questioning the efficacy and legitimacy of alternative peace frameworks like Trump's council compared to established institutions like the UN.