MONACO (AP) — Pope Leo XIV visited the glamorous Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday, emphasizing the need for its residents to utilize their wealth, influence, and Catholic faith to promote good, especially in relation to the sanctity of life. This marked the first papal visit to Monaco since Pope Paul III in 1538.
Upon his arrival, as a cannon echoed across the sky, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene welcomed Leo at the Monaco heliport, located near the renowned marina known for its megayachts owned by the affluent. The royal family awaited Leo's arrival in the palace courtyard, with the women dressed in black and donning lace head coverings, while Charlene stood out wearing white, a privilege granted to Catholic royal sovereigns during meetings with the Pope, referred to as “le privilège du blanc” in diplomatic terminology.
In his opening address from the balcony of the palace, Pope Leo XIV urged the citizens of Monaco to channel their wealth and “gift of smallness” towards positive endeavors. He expressed that this is particularly relevant during a time when power displays and oppression threaten global peace. Speaking in French, he called on the people of Monaco to act from their faith and be “always ready to protect every human life with love, at any time and in any condition,” ensuring that no one is left out of the “table of fraternity.”
Monaco is one of the few nations in Europe where Catholicism is designated as the official state religion. Recently, Prince Albert refused a proposal to legalize abortion, citing the critical role Catholicism plays in Monégasque society. This decision, although largely symbolic, was made within the context that abortion remains a constitutional right in France, which encircles the tiny principality of approximately 2.2 square kilometers (about 1 square mile).
By denying the legalization of abortion, Prince Albert aligned himself with other European Catholic royals who have preserved Catholic doctrine in an increasingly secular region. Notably, during Pope Francis’s visit to Belgium in 2024, he declared the late King Baudouin a candidate for possible sainthood for having abdicated his position temporarily in 1990 to avoid approving abortion legislation.
Known as a coastal playground for the rich and famous, Monaco is equally popular for its tax-friendly policies and the world-renowned Formula 1 Grand Prix. Prince Albert, son of the late American actress Grace Kelly, greeted Leo in impeccable English, while Leo humorously noted his arrival was three minutes late.
Pope Leo XIV’s one-day visit also included a meeting with members of Monaco’s Catholic community at the local cathedral, followed by a Mass held in the principal sports stadium. Monaco's population stands at around 38,000 and is predominantly Catholic, with only one-fifth of the residents being actual citizens of the principality.
