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Pope Leo XIV, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco (r) stand on a balcony of the Prince's Palace on Saturday. Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP/dpa
Keystone
During a visit to the Principality of Monaco, Pope Leo XIV denounced a "growing gap between rich and poor". In his speech from the balcony of the Prince's Palace to Albert II and the most important representatives of the principality, the Pope spoke of unjust power relations and structures of sin "which open up chasms between rich and poor, between the privileged and the excluded, between friends and enemies". The Pope called for a redistribution to make life better for everyone.
"Living here is a privilege for some and a special invitation for all to ask themselves about their place in the world," said the Pope. "The gift of smallness and a living spiritual heritage commit your prosperity to the service of law and justice, especially at a moment in history when the display of power and the logic of the abuse of power are harming the world and endangering peace," said Leo XIV, alluding to the current global crises.
The day trip to the small state between Italy and France on the Mediterranean is the second trip abroad by the head of the Catholic Church, who has been in office since May last year. The program includes a meeting with Prince Albert II and a mass at the Louis II football stadium, the home ground of AS Monaco. At around 5.45 pm, Leo flies back to the Vatican by helicopter.
Catholicism is enshrined in Monaco's constitution as the state religion. According to the Vatican, more than 80 percent of the approximately 38,000 inhabitants of the small state are Catholic.
28.03.2026, 14:15
