Pope Leo XIV travelled to Monaco on Saturday for a one-day visit, marking the first papal trip to the principality in 488 years. The pontiff, elected as the first US pope in May last year, arrived by helicopter from the Vatican and was greeted at Monaco's heliport by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
The choice of Monaco, the second-smallest state in the world known for its casinos and superyachts, has baffled some Vatican observers. Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, described Monaco as a “small country with big horizons” and a “laboratory of peace” due to its responsible use of wealth. He said the visit provides Pope Leo with an opportunity to address all of Europe.
After a private meeting with Prince Albert, the pope travelled in the popemobile to Monaco's cathedral before celebrating mass at the Stade Louis-II. About 15,000 Catholics are expected to attend, with many crossing the border from Italy. Entrance was free but pre-booking was required, and long queues formed in the rain to collect wristbands.
Monaco is one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the official state religion, with five Catholic churches outnumbering its four casinos. Prince Albert recently refused a proposal to legalise abortion, citing the role of Catholicism. Bruni said “the defence of life” would be a theme of the visit, emphasising the broader context of protecting all life, including in conflicts.
Vatican journalists expressed surprise at the choice of Monaco. Marco Politi called it “the Vatican's best-kept secret”, suggesting it may be a gesture towards very small European countries. Severina Bartonitschek noted that while previous Pope Francis focused on marginalised areas, Monaco is a small but international state with many Catholics, and the trip was “doable in a day”.
Pope Leo's first overseas trip was to Turkey and Lebanon in November, and he plans a 10-day visit to Africa in April. He has received an invitation to the White House from US President Donald Trump but has not yet accepted, prioritising other countries to avoid favouring his own.
