Pope Leo XIV on Saturday criticised the widening gap between the rich and the poor as he visited Monaco, marking the first Western European trip of his papacy.
The pontiff arrived by helicopter from Rome and was received at Monte Carlo’s heliport by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene under bright sunshine.
Shortly after arriving in the wealthy Mediterranean principality, Leo condemned what he described as growing “chasms between the poor and the rich.” Speaking in French from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, he denounced “unjust configurations of power” and “structures of sin” that deepen divisions between privileged and marginalised groups.
He stressed that wealth should serve law and justice, warning that the increasing use of force and “logic of omnipotence” in global affairs is endangering peace, in an apparent reference to ongoing conflicts worldwide.
Church bells rang across the tiny state, nestled between France and Italy, as residents gathered to welcome the pope, waving Monaco’s red-and-white flags alongside the yellow-and-white colours of the Vatican.
Crowds lined major streets, including Rue Grimaldi, as the Popemobile passed through, with businesses decorating storefronts to mark the historic visit.
During his trip, the pope met members of the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and was scheduled to celebrate an open-air mass at the Louis II Stadium, expected to draw about 15,000 worshippers.
The visit also included planned speeches on environmental protection, a key issue for Prince Albert, as well as themes of peace and the protection of life, reflecting the Vatican’s stance on global conflicts and ethical issues.
Despite Monaco’s reputation as a hub for wealth, Catholicism remains the state religion, and church spaces continue to bring together people from diverse social backgrounds.
Prince Albert described the visit as a “powerful sign” of Monaco’s role in the Catholic world, highlighting shared priorities with the Vatican such as international solidarity and the promotion of peace.
The trip has drawn attention for its symbolism, with the leader of the Catholic Church delivering a message of social justice in one of the world’s most affluent enclaves.
