Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, March 28, 2026, criticised the growing divide between the rich and the poor during a visit to Monaco, describing it as a troubling reflection of global inequality.
The visit to the wealthy Mediterranean principality, known for its luxury lifestyle, marks the first Western European trip of his papacy.
The pontiff arrived by helicopter from Rome and was received by Monaco’s ruler, Prince Albert II, alongside Princess Charlene, at the Monte Carlo heliport.
Shortly after his arrival, the pope delivered a speech from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, where he condemned what he described as widening “chasms between the poor and the rich.”
He decried “unjust configurations of power” and “structures of sin” that deepen divisions between the privileged and the marginalised, warning that such inequalities threaten global stability.
The pope also stressed that wealth should be guided by law and justice, particularly at a time when rising conflicts and displays of power are endangering peace worldwide.
Church bells rang across the principality to herald his arrival, while residents lined the streets waving Monaco’s red and white flags alongside the yellow and white colours of the Vatican.
Crowds gathered along Rue Grimaldi as the Popemobile passed, with businesses decorating their storefronts to mark the occasion.
During the visit, the pope is scheduled to meet members of the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and later visit the Church of Saint Devota, dedicated to Monaco’s patron saint.
The highlight of the trip is expected to be an open air mass at the Louis II Stadium, where about 15,000 people are anticipated to attend.
According to the Vatican, the pope’s engagements will also focus on environmental protection, Monaco’s role in Europe, and the “protection of life in all its forms,” a phrase encompassing opposition to abortion and euthanasia, as well as a broader call for peace amid ongoing global conflicts.
Monaco remains one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the state religion and maintains longstanding diplomatic ties with the Holy See.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Prince Albert described it as “a powerful sign” of Monaco’s importance in the Catholic world, highlighting shared values such as international solidarity and the promotion of peace.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions, though some described the visit as historic, noting its message of unity and hope in a world facing deepening divisions.
