Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced the Holy See will not participate in the Peace Council citing “certain difficulties” with its statute.
Vatican’s Position on Peace Council
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the Vatican will not participate in the Peace Council due to its special nature, which differs from that of other nations. The cardinal made these remarks during a meeting with Italian government representatives to commemorate the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts.
Parolin pointed out that there are critical issues in the Peace Council’s statute that require clarification. “From our perspective, there are certain difficulties that need to be resolved,” he added.
Vatican’s Concerns
“One of our concerns is that on the international stage, it is primarily the UN that should manage such crises,” Cardinal Parolin emphasized. “This is one of the points on which we particularly insist.”
Upcoming Peace Council Meeting
On Thursday, February 19, the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council will take place. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced she will not attend the event. Deputy Prime Minister and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani may travel to Washington in her place.
President Karol Nawrocki will be represented by Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau.
Evolution of the Peace Council’s Mission
Initially, the Peace Council was intended to focus on administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the war, but this focus quickly changed. The preamble of the Peace Council’s Charter states that lasting peace requires “moving away from approaches and institutions that have too often failed.”
Although the United Nations is not explicitly mentioned, Donald Trump has publicly criticized the UN multiple times. The expansion of the Peace Council’s competencies to other conflicts has raised concerns that this new body, tasked with “promoting stability” and “ensuring lasting peace” in conflict regions, might become a competitor to the UN.