Pope Leo urges Monaco residents to use wealth and 'the gift of smallness' for good

Pope Leo XIV made a one-day visit to Monaco, urging residents to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good and to defend life from conception to natural death; he met Prince Albert and attended gatherings in the cathedral and a stadium.

Pope Leo XIV made a one-day visit to Monaco, the first papal trip to the principality since 1538. He was met at the heliport by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene and received a ceremonial salute at the palace. From the palace balcony and later in the cathedral he urged residents to use their wealth, influence and Catholic faith for good. The visit included a meeting with Monaco's Catholic community and Mass in a sports stadium. Key details: - Pope Leo urged Monaco to use its wealth, influence and the "gift of smallness" to do good and to oppose actions he described as harming peace. - He said Catholics should work so that "the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death," language associated with opposition to abortion and euthanasia. - Prince Albert recently refused a proposal to legalize abortion in Monaco; abortion remains a constitutional right in surrounding France. - The visit featured royal protocol such as "le privilège du blanc" for Princess Charlene, and drew crowds who waved Vatican and Monaco flags. - Monaco is a small, heavily Catholic principality with a largely multinational population and notable international profile. Summary: Leo's visit highlighted the close ties between Monaco's Catholic identity and elements of its public life, and the pope's remarks emphasized moral and social responsibilities tied to that identity. The trip was largely symbolic given Monaco's size and recent local decisions on life-related legislation. Undetermined at this time.