Pope Leo Journeys to Monaco, Urges Wealthy to Share

In a historic visit to the opulent microstate, Pope Leo called on its affluent residents to dedicate their prosperity to serving those in need.

Pope Leo Delivers Message in Billionaire's Haven

On Saturday, Pope Leo undertook a significant day trip to Monaco, a tax-free microstate nestled on the French Riviera. The nation, renowned as a haven for billionaires and their luxurious yachts, hosted the Pontiff who delivered a clear message: share wealth to aid the less fortunate. Addressing crowds waving yellow flags under a brilliant sun, the Pope emphasized the intrinsic duty of generosity.

"In God's eyes, nothing is received in vain!" Pope Leo declared. He continued, asserting that "Every good placed in our hands... bears an intrinsic need not to be held back, but to be shared, so that everyone's life may be better." This appeal resonated within Monaco, which stands as the second smallest state globally after the Vatican, and boasts the world's highest concentration of billionaires per capita. Catholicism remains the state religion in this wealthy Mediterranean enclave.

A Historic Encounter with Royal Pomp

Pope Leo's visit marked a historic occasion, as he became the first pope in nearly five centuries to step foot in the Principality. The Vatican articulated that the visit aimed to highlight how even small countries can exert an outsized influence on the global stage.

His arrival commenced with a 90-minute helicopter journey from the Vatican. Upon landing, Pope Leo's initial engagement was a meeting with Prince Albert, Monaco's head of state and the son of the late Hollywood star Grace Kelly. During this encounter, the Pope’s message on wealth redistribution was subtly reinforced through his official gift to the Prince. He presented Prince Albert with a vibrant artwork from the Vatican's mosaic studio, depicting St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis, a 13th-century figure from a prosperous Italian merchant family, famously renounced his inheritance to dedicate his life to helping the poor.

In a later speech delivered at Prince Albert's residence, Pope Leo directly encouraged Monaco's residents to "put your prosperity at the service of law and justice." Despite the usual protocol and pomp accompanying a papal tour abroad, crowds were notably thinner than typically observed. Few spectators lined the streets as the Pontiff traversed the 0.8 square mile country in an open-air popemobile.

Amidst the public greetings, a 60-year-old Monaco resident, Jean Claude Haddad, expressed his hopes regarding the Pope's presence. "At the moment there is a lot of tension," Haddad remarked, hoping the Pope "could reunite people... he brings people together" amidst what he described as the ongoing Iran war.

Affirming Faith and Charting a Global Itinerary

During a meeting with local Catholics, Pope Leo appeared to commend Prince Albert's decision last year to veto a Monaco bill that would have legalized abortion. The Church firmly opposes abortion. The Pontiff urged the Catholics to continue speaking up "in defence of the human person," a phrase commonly invoked by the Church to oppose both abortion and the death penalty. It is worth noting that Prince Albert's 2025 veto was largely symbolic, given that abortion remains a constitutional right in surrounding France.

Pope Leo, the first U.S. Pope, assumed leadership of the 1.4-billion-member Church in May, succeeding the late Pope Francis. His visit to Monaco represents only his second international trip outside of Italy, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a busy year of global travel. At 70 years old, Pope Leo maintains good health for a pontiff and is prepared for an ambitious schedule. He plans a four-country tour of Africa in April and a week-long visit to Spain in June, marking significant engagements on his nascent papacy's calendar.

Top Stories

Recent Articles

More Articles

Top Stories

Recent Articles

More Articles