Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to Principality of Monaco

Vatican News 

Just after 7.20 am Rome time on Saturday morning, 28 March, the helicopter carrying Pope Leo XIV lifted off from the Vatican heliport, marking the start of his Apostolic Journey to the Principality of Monaco.

This visit is the Pope’s second international Apostolic Journey and the first ever undertaken by a Pope to the small city-state in modern times. His arrival in the country where Catholicism is the state religion is scheduled for 9 am.

As he departed Italian territory, the Holy Father sent the customary telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. In his message, Pope Leo XIV expressed his intention to travel to Monaco “to encourage the witness of Christian faith and the building of the common good,” while extending cordial greetings and prayerful good wishes for the spiritual, civil and social progress of the Italian nation.

Pope Leo's visit to Monaco is scheduled to last just under nine hours, with four main events marking the programme: a courtesy visit to Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Prince’s Palace; an encounter with the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; a meeting with young people and catechumens in the square in front of Saint Devota Church; and the celebration of Holy Mass at the Louis II Stadium, preceded by a brief tour among the faithful.

At approximately 5.45 pm, he will depart by helicopter for his return to the Vatican.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed hope that the journey would “give renewed impetus to the mission of the local Church,” strengthening shared commitment to urgent priorities such as care for creation, the defence of human life, and the promotion of international solidarity, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.