Pope Leo XIV made a historic Apostolic Visit to the Principality of Monaco on March 28, 2026, drawing global attention as he began his first European journey of the year. The nine‑hour trip — the first papal visit to Monaco in nearly 500 years — was marked by solemn ceremony and a powerful call for justice, humility and service.
Touching down at Monaco’s heliport at 9 a.m., the pope was greeted with a 21‑gun salute, pealing church bells and the raising of the Vatican flag, symbols of the deep spiritual ties between the micro‑state and the Holy See.
He was welcomed by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at the Prince’s Palace, where crowds gathered to witness the rare occasion. Monaco, one of the few nations in Europe where Catholicism is the official state religion, drew particular emphasis in the pope’s remarks.
From the palace balcony, Pope Leo XIV told the people of Monaco that their identity as a small, faith‑rooted nation gives them a unique ability to “serve the cause of law and justice.” He stressed that it is often the humble — not the powerful — who shape the course of history, echoing Scripture and urging citizens and leaders alike to use their prosperity to foster peace, solidarity and care for the vulnerable.
The official itinerary included meetings with the local Catholic community and young people, and a Mass celebrated at Stade Louis II later in the day.
This symbolic journey — undertaken in response to invitations from Monaco’s civil and religious authorities earlier this year — underscored the principality’s unique role as Europe’s last Catholic nation, standing as a beacon of faith and tradition on the continent.