Pope Leo XIV decries the widening gap between the rich and poor in historic Monaco visit | Euronews

## Summary
By&nbsp Malek Fouda Published on 28/03/2026 - 17:24 GMT+1 • Updated 19:37 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the wealthy principality of Monaco to use their resources to promote good in the world. Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good, especially to uphold Catholic teaching on protecting the sanctity of life. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco meet Pope Leo XIV at the Prince's Palace during the pope's one-day visit to Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026 Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP At the palace, members of the royal family stood in the courtyard waiting for the pope, the women dressed in black and with lace head coverings. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Read more In historic Monaco visit, Pope Leo XIV calls for justice and peace Pope Leo XIV makes historic visit to Monaco, first in nearly 500 years Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II, hailed as an 'epochal figure,' dies at 93 Prince Albert II of Monaco Pope Monaco Pope Leo XIV catholic church Catholicism

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Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the wealthy principality of Monaco to use their resources to promote good in the world. The pontiff became the first head of the Catholic church to visit the territory since Pope Paul III in the 16th century.
Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good, especially to uphold Catholic teaching on protecting the sanctity of life.
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The pontiff made a one-day trip to the extravagant enclave, becoming the first pope to visit since Paul III in 1538.
Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene met the pontiff at the Monaco heliport, just down the coast from the marina that is home to the mega yachts of the rich and famous.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco meet Pope Leo XIV at the Prince's Palace during the pope's one-day visit to Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool Photo via AP
At the palace, members of the royal family stood in the courtyard waiting for the pope, the women dressed in black and with lace head coverings. Charlene wore white — a protocol privilege granted by the Vatican to Catholic royal sovereigns when meeting popes, known in diplomatic terms as "le privilège du blanc".
In his opening greeting from the palace balcony, Pope Leo XIV urged Monaco to use its wealth, influence and “gift of smallness” for good. It was important, he said, “especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardising peace.”
Speaking in French later in the cathedral, the pontiff urged Monaco's Catholics to spread their faith “so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.”
Pope Leo XIV leaves after meeting with the local Catholic community inside Monaco Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026
Laurent Cipriani/2026 Copyright The AP
Such terms are used by the Vatican to refer to Catholic teaching opposing abortion and euthanasia.
Monaco is one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the official state religion. Prince Albert recently refused a proposal to legalise abortion in the territory, citing the important role Catholicism plays in Monegasque society.
The decision was largely symbolic, since abortion is a constitutional right in France, which surrounds the coastal principality of 2.2 kilometres squared.
Pope Leo XIV arrives to meet with a group of young people and catechumens outside Sainte Dévote Church in La Condamine, Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026
Gregorio Borgia/2026 Copyright The AP
In refusing to allow it in Monaco, Albert joined other European Catholic royals who have taken a similar stand over the years to uphold Catholic doctrine on an increasingly secular continent.
Pope Leo XIV's one-day visit included a meeting with Monaco’s Catholic community in the cathedral and a Mass in the Louis II stadium. Monaco’s population of 38,000 is heavily Catholic and multinational, with only a fifth of the population actually citizens of the principality.
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In historic Monaco visit, Pope Leo XIV calls for justice and peace
Pope Leo XIV makes historic visit to Monaco, first in nearly 500 years
Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II, hailed as an 'epochal figure,' dies at 93
Prince Albert II of Monaco
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- It was important, he said, “especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardising peace.” Speaking in French later in the cathedral, the pontiff urged Monaco's Catholics to spread their faith “so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.” Pope Leo XIV leaves after meeting with the local Catholic community inside Monaco Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026 Laurent Cipriani/2026 Copyright The AP Such terms are used by the Vatican to refer to Catholic teaching opposing abortion and euthanasia.
- Prince Albert recently refused a proposal to legalise abortion in the territory, citing the important role Catholicism plays in Monegasque society.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean principality of Monaco on Saturday to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good, especially to uphold Catholic teaching on protecting the sanctity of life.
- In his opening greeting from the palace balcony, Pope Leo XIV urged Monaco to use its wealth, influence and “gift of smallness” for good.
- It was important, he said, “especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardising peace.” Speaking in French later in the cathedral, the pontiff urged Monaco's Catholics to spread their faith “so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.” Pope Leo XIV leaves after meeting with the local Catholic community inside Monaco Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, Saturday, March 28, 2026 Laurent Cipriani/2026 Copyright The AP Such terms are used by the Vatican to refer to Catholic teaching opposing abortion and euthanasia.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers monaco, pope, catholic topics. Notable strengths include discussion of monaco. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 596.