Pope Leo invited to join Trump's 'Board of Peace', cardinal says

VATICAN CITY, Jan ⁠21 (Reuters) - Pope Leo ⁠is ‍among world leaders invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", Cardinal Pietro Parolin, ‍the Vatican's top diplomatic official, said on Wednesday.

Leo, ​the first U.S. pope and a critic of some of Trump's ​policies, is evaluating the invitation, he said.

"The pope has received an invitation and we are considering what to do," Parolin told ​journalists. "I believe it will be something that requires a bit of time for consideration before giving a ​response."

The board was initially aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, however Trump ‌has said it will have a much broader remit and resolve conflicts globally.

While some countries, ​such as Israel and Egypt, ⁠have accepted the invitation, a number of others have expressed caution with diplomats warning it ‌could harm the work of the United Nations.

The Vatican press office did not immediately respond to a request for ‌comment about Parolin's remarks.

Leo, who has shown a robust but quiet ‌diplomatic style since being elected pope last May, has decried conditions for Palestinians living in Gaza several times, including in a forceful ‍sermon on Christmas Eve.

The pope, leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, rarely joins ⁠international boards. The Vatican has an extensive diplomatic service and is a permanent observer at the United Nations, often taking part in debates.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Janet Lawrence)

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