MONACO — Pope Leo XIV made a historic visit to Monaco on Saturday, becoming the first pope in modern times to travel to the principality, where he called on its wealthy residents to use their prosperity in the service of justice and the common good.
Arriving by helicopter from the Vatican, the pontiff was received by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at the prince’s palace.
Crowds gathered along the route, waving Monaco and Vatican flags, while children in yellow hats lined the streets to greet him.
A Visit That Draws Global Attention
The visit, Leo’s first foreign trip of 2026 and his first in Europe outside Italy, has drawn attention for its destination.
Monaco, long associated with immense wealth and luxury, is often seen as a haven for the global elite.
Some observers questioned why the pope chose such a setting for a high-profile visit.
Vatican officials, however, pointed to the principality’s deep Catholic roots, as Catholicism remains the state religion, and to the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two states.
There is also a personal connection. Leo, the first American-born pope, shares a cultural link with Prince Albert, whose mother, the Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, married Rainier III in 1956.
A Message to the Wealthy
In remarks delivered outside the palace, Leo urged Monaco’s affluent population “to put your prosperity at the service of law and justice,” warning that global peace is increasingly threatened by displays of power and systems of oppression.
His message underscored a broader theme of his papacy, calling for moral responsibility among the powerful and a redistribution of attention toward those in need.
Small States, Global Influence
Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s secretary of state, framed the visit as part of a wider diplomatic vision.
He said small states like Monaco can serve as a “bulwark against authoritarian tendencies” at a time when international law appears to be weakening.
He added that such nations can act as “natural guardians of multilateralism,” particularly in areas such as environmental protection, where Monaco has pursued ambitious sustainability policies.
Parolin also noted shared positions between the Vatican and Monaco on social issues, including opposition to abortion. Prince Albert recently vetoed legislation that would have expanded abortion access in the principality.
Ceremony, Symbolism and Tradition
The visit carried strong ceremonial and symbolic elements. Princess Charlene was among the small number of Catholic royal women granted the rare privilege of wearing white in the pope’s presence, rather than the traditional black attire.
Members of Monaco’s royal family, including Crown Prince Jacques and Crown Princess Gabriella, joined the pope on the palace balcony, greeting crowds gathered below.
A Call for Peace
Leo’s itinerary included a meeting with Monaco’s Catholic community and a public Mass at the national stadium, where he delivered a message focused on peace.
“Do not grow accustomed to the clamor of weapons and images of war,” he told worshippers.
In his homily, the pope emphasised that “peace is not merely a balance of power; it is the work of purified hearts,” urging believers to see others not as enemies, but as brothers and sisters deserving of protection.
A Deliberate Omission
Notably absent from the pope’s itinerary was Monaco’s famed casino district, a symbol of the principality’s wealth and global reputation.
According to his brother, John, Leo abandoned gambling years ago after missionary work in Peru.
“He’d say it’s a waste,” his brother told the National Catholic Reporter. “There are better things you could do with your money.”
The omission underscored the broader message of the visit: a call to rethink the use of wealth in a world marked by inequality and conflict.
