When asked on January 21, 2026, about Donald Trump's criticism of Europe at the Davos Forum (Switzerland), Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said that transatlantic tensions are “not healthy.”
The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said the possibility of the Pope joining Trump's Peace Council would need some "evaluation."
He said that Pope Leo XIV had received an invitation from the United States to join the “Board of Peace,” which the Holy See was taking the time to evaluate.
On the sidelines of a meeting with young people organized in Rome by the Italian association “Osservatorio for independent thinking,” the cardinal was questioned by journalists about Donald Trump's recent criticism of Europe at the World Economic Forum in Davos that afternoon.
“I love Europe and I want it to do well, but it is not going in the right direction,” said the US president.
Cardinal Parolin said that “beyond personal feelings, which are legitimate,” it was above all necessary to “respect the rules of the international community.”
“Build rather than polarize”
The Pope's Secretary of State said he considered that the current tensions between the United States and Europe are “not healthy” and that they are creating a “serious” international climate.
He invited the parties to “discuss controversial issues without entering into polemics and without creating tensions.”
He also called for “responsible use of the press that aims to build rather than polarize or destroy.”
Some time to evaluate
The Italian cardinal was then asked about the “Board of Peace,” an organization conceived by Donald Trump in parallel with the United Nations to promote peace at the international level, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Its creation was announced on January 15.
The Secretary of State confirmed that an invitation had indeed been sent to the Pope. “I believe this is a matter that requires some time to be evaluated,” he said, without expressing a position on the organization.
Some 15 countries have said they want to join, but an invitation has already been rejected by several countries, including France and Norway.
In addition, the cardinal said that the Holy See was “not in a position” to pay the €1 billion (approx. $1.17 billion) demanded by Donald Trump to join the organization.
However, he expressed the possibility that they would not be asked to “contribute financially” given the specific situation of the Vatican.
