Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has begun the travel to Monaco, marking his first visit to Europe since being elected pontiff. The trip has drawn attention among Vatican observers, not least because it comes 488 years after the last papal visit to the principality.
The Pope will depart from Vatican City by helicopter for the one-day visit. Upon arrival, he will be received at Monaco’s heliport by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, before being escorted to the royal palace, the residence of the Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century. The visit marks the first papal trip to Monaco since Pope Paul III in 1538.
According to Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesperson, Monaco represents a ‘small country with big horizons’ and offers Pope Leo his first opportunity to address Europe more broadly.
Pope Leo XIV arrives in the Principality of Monaco by helicopter and is welcomed at the heliport by Prince Albert II, as he begins his one-day Apostolic Journey. pic.twitter.com/JCDXIdapj5
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) March 28, 2026
Bruni referenced the biblical idea of ‘the small playing a significant role,’ describing Monaco, the second-smallest state in the world after the Vatican, as a ‘laboratory of peace’ due to its responsible use of wealth and influence.
Following a private meeting with Prince Albert, the Pope will travel by popemobile to Monaco’s cathedral before celebrating mass at Stade Louis II. Around 15,000 Catholics are expected to attend, with many travelling from neighbouring Italy.
While entry to the mass is free, attendees were required to pre-book, leading to long queues in the rain to collect wristbands, according to the French regional daily Nice-Matin. The publication noted that anticipation for the visit goes beyond curiosity, with residents hoping for a rare and deeply personal spiritual encounter with the pontiff.
Despite its global reputation for casinos and superyachts, Monaco has strong Catholic roots. It remains one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the official state religion, with five Catholic churches, one more than its number of casinos, including the cathedral.
Prince Albert extended the invitation to Pope Leo during his visit to the Vatican in January. The choice of Monaco has prompted speculation among observers. Vatican journalist Marco Politi suggested it may reflect a gesture towards smaller European states, adding that similar visits to countries such as Andorra and Liechtenstein could follow.
Meanwhile, Severina Bartonitschek, the Vatican correspondent for KNA, described Monaco as an unusual destination compared to the travel priorities of Pope Francis, who was often referred to as the ‘pope of the peripheries’ for focusing on marginalised regions.
However, Bartonitschek pointed out shared characteristics between Pope Leo and Prince Albert, including their strong Catholic beliefs, pro-life stance, and interest in sport. She also noted that Monaco’s small size, international population, and strong Catholic presence make it a practical destination for a one-day visit.
Pope Leo’s first overseas trip as pontiff was to Turkey and Lebanon in November, and he is scheduled to undertake a 10-day visit to Africa in April. Although he received an invitation to the White House from Donald Trump shortly after his election, he has not yet accepted it.
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