On the eve of Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said the pope "will not participate in the Board of Peace due to its particular nature, which is clearly not that of other states."

The board is an international body created by Trump to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, as well as peace efforts elsewhere.

Parolin told reporters that a central "concern" with the board "is that, at the international level, it is primarily the [United Nations] that manages these crisis situations."

Trump formally launched the Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22.

While the president initially announced the board as a means of ensuring peace in Gaza and the rebuilding of the war-torn territory, Trump has broadened the intended role of the board.

"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, and we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations," Trump said in Davos.

"You know, I've always said the United Nations has got tremendous potential. It has not used it," Trump added.

Trump is chairing the board. Permanent board members must each provide $1 billion in funding.

The European Union also recently announced it will not join the Board of Peace, citing concerns over its compatibility with the United Nations Charter and its broad scope.

However, one representative of the EU will be participating in some form. The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica will attend the board's first meeting in Washington on Thursday.

EU Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho says attending the meeting is not equivalent to joining the board, but added that the EU is concerned with the "implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza" and wants to partake in "international efforts to support reconstruction and post-war recovery."

So far, over 25 nations have agreed to join the Board of Peace, which Trump chairs, including Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.   Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Virginia Allen is a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of "The Daily Signal Podcast" and "Problematic Women."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Museum of the Bible to Feature Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit in Capitol Hill Outreach Event

'Federal Fumbles' Report: 5 Revelations; from Trans Animal Experiments to Minnesota Fraud Schemes

Schumer Pushes Legislation to Shield pride Flag with US Flag-Level Protections

Rep. Randy Fine Sets The Internet Ablaze with His Response to Muslim NYC Activist Calling for Banning Dogs, Calling Them 'Unclean'

Vatican Turns Down Trump's Invitation to Board of Peace

War With Iran 'Imminent'? Trump Could Give the 'Go' Order at Any Time

China Biowarfare No Longer 'Far-Off Threat', Biolab Found in US Neighborhood

Prayer Alert: SCOTUS Decisions to Be Issued This Week, What Could Be Released

'They Want to Serve Women': Pregnancy Centers Now Offering Full Medical Care

Meta, YouTube on Trial Over Claims They Engineered Child Addiction

Jesse Jackson Dead at 84; Trump Remembers Him as a 'Good Man,' 'Force of Nature'

US-Iran Talks Resume in Geneva as Both Sides Display Military Power; Israel Issues Gaza Ultimatum

They Burned the Church With the Pastor Inside; and the World Moved On

FTC Probes American Association of Pediatrics, WPATH over Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

Rhode Island Hockey Game Shooter Identified as 'Transgender'

New Yorkers Wake to the Islamic Call to Prayer: '...They Don't Need Planes Anymore ... New York Is Falling, One Amplified 'allahu akbar' at a Time' [Videos]

Seahawks GM Threw Surprise Jesus Figurines into the Crowd during the Super Bowl Parade

Holy Spirit Outpouring Breaks Out on Florida Campus as Students Turn to Non-Stop Worship

Dr. Alveda King: Stay the Course

Antifa Faces First Trial after Being Classified as Domestic Terrorism