In a big diplomatic move, Pope Leo XIV has officially turned down Donald Trump’s offer to join his new, controversial “Board of Peace” — the White House’s new idea meant to replace the United Nations.
It’s obvious that the Vatican doesn’t want anything to do with what many people are calling Trump’s effort to cut the UN out and use his own group as a way to gain power while pretending to be peaceful.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top official, made it clear that there are “big problems” with Trump’s plan.
He said that for big global issues like the situation in Gaza, the United Nations — not a private group backed by rich people — should be in charge.
That’s the Vatican’s polite way of saying “no thanks.”
Trump’s Board of Peace, which started as a group to help rebuild Gaza, has now become a secret global group.
It’s said to cost $1 billion just to be a permanent member, and it’s sending out invitations to leaders who are controversial. People are worried about where the money is going and if this is really about peace or just about gaining influence.
Now comes the real blow.
Pope Leo hasn’t been very quiet about his problems with Trump’s overall plans.
Last fall, he openly questioned how anyone could say they’re “pro-life” when they support the “cruel treatment of immigrants” in the U.S. He kept pushing for people to treat migrants with kindness, respect, and dignity, especially those who have been living in America for a long time.
On the world stage, Leo has always praised the U.N. for helping with war, climate change, and inequality — the exact opposite of what Trump has said about the U.N. over the years.
The Vatican’s rejection doesn’t just make things look bad for Trump.
It also weakens the moral support he hoped to get. A peace group without the Catholic Church — one of the biggest religious groups in the world — seems less like a united effort and more like a political group for the powerful.
The pope’s message is simple: true peace needs teamwork, respect for people, and honesty — not self-interest, fake alternatives, or buying influence.
When even the Vatican says “no thanks,” it means something is wrong.
And this time, the rejection came with a strong message.
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