Pope Leo XIV Makes Historic Visit to Monaco, First Papal Trip Since 1538

Pope Leo XIV traveled to the wealthy Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday for a historic nine-hour visit, the first papal trip there in nearly 500 years. The pontiff encouraged Monaco's Catholic population to leverage their faith and prosperity for positive purposes during meetings with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.

MONACO (AP) — In a historic journey to the wealthy Mediterranean nation of Monaco, Pope Leo XIV spent Saturday encouraging residents to harness both their Catholic beliefs and financial resources for positive purposes.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene welcomed the pontiff at Monaco’s heliport as ceremonial cannon fire echoed across the coastline, near the marina where luxury megayachts belonging to celebrities and billionaires are docked.

Under brilliant sunshine that illuminated the sparkling Mediterranean waters, Leo stepped from an Italian military helicopter following his flight from Vatican City for what would become a nine-hour diplomatic visit. This marks the first time a pope has traveled to Monaco since Pope Paul III’s visit in 1538.

Royal family members gathered in the palace courtyard awaiting Leo’s arrival, with female relatives dressed in traditional black attire and lace head coverings.

The papal visit demonstrates Leo’s goal of highlighting how smaller nations like Vatican City and Monaco can wield significant influence internationally, particularly during wartime, while promoting traditional Catholic teachings about the sacred nature of human life.

Monaco stands among the rare European nations maintaining Catholicism as its official state religion. Prince Albert recently declined a proposal to permit abortion within the principality, emphasizing Catholicism’s significant influence on Monaco’s social fabric.

Albert’s decision carried mostly symbolic weight, given that abortion remains a constitutional right in France, which completely encircles the tiny coastal nation spanning just 2.2 square kilometers.

However, by rejecting abortion legalization in Monaco, Albert aligned himself with fellow European Catholic monarchs who have taken similar positions throughout the years to preserve Catholic teachings on an increasingly secular continent. During Pope Francis’s 2024 visit to Belgium, he announced placing the late King Baudouin on a potential path to sainthood for abdicating temporarily in 1990 rather than signing abortion legalization legislation.

The papal itinerary featured a private audience with Albert and Princess Charlene at the palace, a gathering with Monaco’s Catholic faithful in the cathedral, and Mass celebration in the sports stadium.

Known as a coastal paradise for wealthy celebrities and dignitaries, Monaco has gained fame equally for its tax advantages and Formula 1 Grand Prix as for its glamorous royal family. Albert, whose mother was late American actress Grace Kelly, addressed Leo in flawless, unaccented English during the heliport greeting. The pope was overheard commenting on his three-minute delay in landing.

Monaco’s 38,000 residents are predominantly Catholic and represent multiple nationalities, with only one-fifth holding actual citizenship in the principality.