Pope Leo XIV became the first Pontiff in 488 years to visit Monaco. During the trip, he addressed the inhabitants of the principality, known as a tax haven for billionaires, with an appeal to use their resources to help those in need.
This is reported by Vatican News, The Guardian, and Reuters.
The Pontiff arrived in Monaco by helicopter from the Vatican, the flight lasted approximately 90 minutes. Immediately upon arrival, he met with Prince Albert, the head of state and son of the late Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. The Pope gave Albert an image of St. Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century Italian merchant who renounced his inheritance to help the poor.
During the liturgy in Monaco, Leo XIV called for not getting used to the "noise of weapons and images of war" and emphasized the role of the church in witnessing a life of peace. He stressed the importance of using wealth to spread goodness.
The Pope's visit was the first since Pope Paul III in 1538. Monaco is known for its high level of wealth, luxury yachts, and its status as a tax haven for billionaires. Catholicism is the state religion; the number of Catholic churches, five, outnumbers casinos by one, alongside the cathedral.
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, noted that this visit demonstrates the influence of even small countries on the world stage and gives the Pope the opportunity to address the whole of Europe.
Recall that Pope Leo XIV, during a closed meeting with the clergy of the Roman diocese, called on priests to resist "the temptation to prepare sermons with the help of artificial intelligence."
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.