Vatican

Pope Leo, first trip to Europe: today in the Principality of Monaco

In the small state, Catholicism is the state religion, 82% of the population is Catholic

by Carlo Marroni

28 March 2026

Il Papa: "Costernato per le notizie dal Medio Oriente, tacciano le armi"

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

helicopter trip, no contact with French territory
Closing mass at Louis II Stadium with 15,000 worshippers

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

For his first visit to Europe Leo XIV has chosen the Principality of Monaco, the second trip of the pontificate after those to Turkey and Lebanon at the turn of November and December 2025. A choice judged rather singular, given that Francis had practically ignored the old continent for his travels, but certainly the pastoral mission - to be held on Saturday 28 March - has a significance that Prevost wants to imprint.

First of all - as explained by the director of the press room, Matteo Bruni - "in the Bible, the small have a significant role, as the Principality can have" in being a "laboratory of peace" for the "responsible use of influence and wealth". A country - the second smallest in the world, after the Vatican City State - of small dimensions but "with a great horizon", in which the Pontiff will be able to "offer a first word of reflection on its role in Europe".

Papa Leone XIV presiede la Messa nel secondo giorno del Concistoro in Vaticano

Helicopter trip, no contact with French territory

First of all, a fact: the Pontiff will be the first in contemporary times to visit the small Western European city-state where Catholicism is the state religion (there are five in the world, apart from the Vatican, of course) for a 'lightning' visit lasting about 13 hours, on the eve of Holy Week (the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, had visited the principality in 2021).

A trip that brings to fruition the invitation formulated by Prince Albert II of Monaco on the occasion of the audience in the Vatican on 17 January last. The Pope, and this is also a novelty, will go by helicopter - in fact, it was decided not to land in Nice, which would obviously have had ceremonial implications with France - and will arrive at 9 a.m. in Monte Carlo where he will be welcomed by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène. After a stop at the Prince's Palace, he will be transferred by popemobile to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where he will be welcomed by the archbishop, Monsignor Dominique-Marie David.

After his welcome address, the middle hour will be celebrated, and Leo XIV will deliver a homily to the local Catholic community, which represents 82% of the resident population, some 38,000 people in all (but only a little over 9,000 Monegasques, the rest are foreigners). Bruni said he could expect a focus, in the Pope's words, on caring for the environment, a theme also dear to Prince Albert II, and in defence of life, especially at a time of 'social polarisation', where existences are often 'neglected' and there is a need to 'recompose the fractures', opening up and meeting one's neighbour.

Papa Leone XIV scelto come Personaggio dell’anno 2025 per Treccani

The concluding mass at Louis II Stadium with 15 thousand faithful

After the Pope will go by popemobile to the church of Saint Devote, located in the district of La Condamine. Two kilometres through the streets of the Principality to reach the young people and catechumens. With them he will hold a meeting, listen to testimonies and deliver a speech. Around 3 p.m., he will arrive at the Louis II stadium, where he will hold a golf cart ride before presiding at Mass in front of some 15,000 faithful. At the end of the celebration, Archbishop David will address a few final words of thanks to the Pontiff. Before leaving the stadium, the Pope will greet some people assisted by church and lay associations, and then return.

All speeches, Bruni pointed out, will be delivered in French. Responding to journalists' questions on the reason for the choice of Monaco as the location for the Pontiff's second apostolic journey, the director of the Holy See Press Office explained how it had been "thought out and organised" following the previous planning of the trip to Africa, scheduled from 13 to 23 April. There will be no press conference at the end of the visit: the press will fly to Nice and then transfer by land. In an interview with the Vatican media, Archbishop David said that "the Pope will help us discover hidden poverties".