Lenten campaign 2026
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At a ceremony marking the 97th anniversary of the Lateran Accords on February 17, Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced that the Holy See will not take part in President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace.”
Speaking at Rome’s Palazzo Borromeo after meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, the Vatican Secretary of State explained that the Holy See’s unique status prevents its participation.
“The Holy See will not take part in the Board of Peace because of its particular nature, which is obviously not that of other states,” he said, according to Vatican media.
Italy has indicated it would join the council as an observer. Cardinal Parolin acknowledged the effort behind the initiative, recognizing the attempt “to offer a response” to global tensions. Yet he admitted that “certain points leave us somewhat perplexed,” noting that critical aspects still require clarification and resolution.
The Holy See on Palestine
It established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1993 and formally recognized the State of Palestine in 2015, signing a comprehensive agreement that affirmed Palestinian statehood under international law.
The Vatican also advocates for a special internationally guaranteed status for Jerusalem, to safeguard access to holy sites and protect the city’s unique religious character. In times of renewed violence, it consistently calls for negotiations, respect for civilians, and adherence to international law.
The Vatican’s cautious distance from the proposal had been evident in recent weeks, though no official statement had been issued until now. The delay, Cardinal Parolin suggested, reflected careful discernment rather than political hesitation — a hallmark of the Holy See’s diplomatic posture.
Earlier this month, the Church's leader on the ground in the region, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, addressed the “Board of Peace” initiative, expressing concern about any plan driven primarily by geopolitical interests rather than genuine recognition of Palestinian rights.
Peace, he said, cannot rest on slogans but requires “concrete actions, gestures, and testimonies” capable of rebuilding trust between Israelis and Palestinians.
Read more about the Vatican's constant appeal for a two state solution in the region, here.
For the Vatican, international crises demand a framework grounded in law and multilateral cooperation. Cardinal Parolin emphasized that such conflicts “should above all be managed at the international level by the United Nations.”
The Holy See has consistently defended the primacy of the United Nations in addressing global emergencies, viewing it as a forum where dialogue, rather than power politics, can prevail.
Ukraine
Cardinal Parolin's remarks come against the somber backdrop of the war in Ukraine, which will reach its fourth anniversary on February 24. The invasion launched by Russian forces in 2022 has hardened into a grinding conflict with no clear resolution in sight. “From both sides, it does not seem to us that there are real steps toward peace,” Cardinal Parolin said. “It is tragic that after four years we are still at this point.”
Recent talks in Geneva involving Russian, Ukrainian, and American representatives have raised modest hopes. Yet the cardinal’s tone was restrained. While expressing a desire that these meetings “produce some progress,” he admitted there appears to be little optimism surrounding them.
By declining participation in the Board of Peace, the Holy See underscores its singular vocation: not to align itself with shifting political coalitions, but to remain a moral voice urging dialogue, patience, and respect for international law.
