Pope Leo calls on Monaco's wealthy to serve law and justice in his first foreign trip of 2026

Pope Leo XIV made the first modern papal visit to Monaco and urged residents to put their prosperity at the service of law and justice.

Pope Leo XIV visited Monaco on Saturday, marking the first papal trip to the principality in modern times. He was welcomed by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene and held a private meeting at the prince's palace. Crowds waved Monaco and Vatican flags while children in yellow hats gathered for the event. The trip was notable because Monaco is known for its concentration of wealth and because it was the pope's first foreign visit of 2026 outside Italy. Known details: - The pope traveled from the Vatican to Monaco by helicopter and began his visit with a private meeting at the prince's palace. - In a speech outside Albert's residence, he urged Monaco's wealthy residents "to put your prosperity at the service of law and justice." - Cardinal Pietro Parolin said small states can act as a "bulwark against authoritarian tendencies" and as "natural guardians of multilateralism." - The day's program included a meeting with Monaco's Catholic community and a public Mass at the national stadium where the pope warned against growing accustomed to the clamor of weapons and images of war. - The Vatican and Monaco highlighted shared priorities such as environmental protection, and the article noted Prince Albert recently vetoed an abortion law in the principality. - The pope did not visit Monaco's casino district, and his brother said Leo gave up gambling after his time as a missionary in Peru. Summary: The visit reinforced historical and diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Monaco and placed moral questions about wealth and peace at the center of the public visit. Church officials emphasized a role for small states on issues like multilateralism and the environment. Undetermined at this time.