Monaco welcomed Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, marking the first visit by a pontiff to the principality since 1538. The Pope used his one-day trip to urge the inhabitants to use their wealth and influence for the common good. Arriving by helicopter from Rome, he was greeted by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene before addressing the crowds from the Prince's Palace and then celebrating Mass at the Louis II Stadium. The visit goes beyond mere protocol, as Monaco, a state of only 2.08 km², remains one of the few countries in Europe where Catholicism is the official religion. It also carries political and social significance for the principality, which has approximately 38,000 inhabitants and is known as a global hub for finance, luxury tourism, and diplomacy. Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the widening gap between rich and poor and linked Monaco's international visibility to a responsibility to promote justice and peace. His program included meetings with the Catholic community, young people, and catechumens, reflecting the principality's desire to project a moral influence that transcends its size. This visit comes as the Vatican, under the leadership of Leo XIV, seeks to strengthen its voice in the public sphere of a Europe marked by secularization, conflict, and ethical debates.
