Pope Leo visits a tiny, wealthy, devoutly Catholic nation in first foreign trip of 2026
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV made history with the first modern papal visit to Monaco, meeting Prince Albert and Princess Charlene and addressing a crowd at the prince’s palace.
- The visit highlights deep ties between the Vatican and Monaco, a small Catholic state, and reflects shared values including a commitment to law, justice, and environmental protection.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin emphasized the important moral role small states like Monaco can play in promoting multilateralism and opposing authoritarianism amid global challenges.
- The pope's itinerary included meetings with Monaco’s Catholic community and a public Mass, but notably excluded the principality’s famous casinos, reflecting Leo’s personal renunciation of gambling.
- Princess Charlene was granted the rare honor of wearing white in the pope’s presence, underscoring the close relationship between Monaco’s royal family and the Catholic Church.
