President Trump is making his move for peace, extending an invitation to Pope Leo XIV to join his proposed “Board of Peace.” The Board was initially proposed by the president to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but President Trump has indicated that the Board’s responsibilities could broaden to resolving other world conflicts. “The Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development,” the White House said in a statement.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed that the Vatican had received the President’s invitation. “The Pope has received an invitation and we are considering what to do. I believe it will be something that requires a bit of time for consideration before giving a response,” he told journalists. He confirmed that the Vatican’s purpose on the board “will not be to participate financially.” Trump has offered lifetime membership to any invitee that pays $1 billion. So far, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Sweden have declined their invitations, while Israel and Egypt have agreed. Other countries that have been invited include Argentina, Belarus, and Canada. Italy as well has been invited to join the Board. The majority of countries to receive invitations have yet to make a final decision on joining the Board of Peace.

Parolin spoke of the Vatican’s own considerations in making the decision, stating that the “important thing is to respect international law.” He called current tension in Europe “unhealthy.” “It’s important to eliminate tensions and discuss controversial issues without creating tension,” he said. President Trump has framed both terms of his presidency as ones of peace, with his first term marked by the historic Abraham Accords in the Middle East. His push for the US’s attainment of Greenland, however, has also increased tensions across Europe, particularly between the United States and other Nordic countries. “Everyone thinks they can resolve difficult situations or make their positions prevail only through the use of force. This is unacceptable, and it will increasingly lead to a conflict, a war within the international community,” said Parolin.

Charisma News, however, framed the proposed Board in terms of end times prophecy. “If the Pope does indeed join the Board of Peace, we could be looking at major end-time implications. While mainstream outlets have framed the Board of Peace as merely a diplomatic experiment, we cannot ignore the end-times precedent it is setting. A multinational council working to establish peace in the Middle East—long seen as the flashpoint of biblical conflict—aligns with the very patterns Scripture says will precede the final global shaking,” stated the outlet, noting the way the Board’s setup of 10 primary members reflects the “10 Kings” mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. “In a world racing toward unity and ‘peace and security,’ we may be watching the stage being built in real time. If that is the case, the question becomes less speculative and more sobering: Are we entering the final chapter of humanity?”