Trump Invites Pope Leo XIV to Gaza Peace Commission
President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to join the Gaza Peace Commission. Reports indicate that this is the first American leader of the Catholic Church is contemplating whether to take on this role.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, shared with reporters that Trump proposed a position on the board of the international organization established in January, aimed at overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza and addressing global conflicts. Parolin noted that the Vatican is still mulling over the invitation and anticipates it will require some time before they provide a response.
The Pope, representing a global Catholic community of approximately 1.4 billion, has rarely seen involvement in such international committees, according to various sources.
The Vatican has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the invitation.
In other developments, a senior official from the White House reported that 35 countries have accepted Trump’s offer to join the council. Members include leaders from U.S. allies in the Middle East—like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt—as well as some NATO allies, such as Hungary and Turkey, and even Belarus, which has a complicated relationship with the U.S.
Notably, both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were also invited, but it remains unclear whether they will participate in the organization.
Pope Leo, originally from Chicago, has been critical of certain policies during the Trump administration, particularly those regarding immigration and foreign relations. For instance, he opposed the military’s actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, suggesting that diplomacy should replace force.
Additionally, the Pope has voiced support for the U.S. bishops who have condemned the administration’s stringent immigration policies, stressing the importance of treating individuals with dignity and humanity, even for those who are undocumented.
Cardinal Parolin is well known, and it was Cardinal Robert F. Prevost—who is notably referred to as Pope Leo XIV—who emerged as a leading candidate to succeed the late Pope Francis during the conclave in May 2025.
