Pope Leo may travel to the Principality of Monaco at the end of March, the Holy See Press Office told journalists Feb. 10. If the visit takes place, it would be the second apostolic journey of Pope Leo’s pontificate and the first papal visit to Monaco in modern history.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo received Prince Albert II of Monaco in an audience on Jan. 17, followed by meetings at the Secretariat of State. The meetings focused on the positive diplomatic relationship between the Vatican and Archdiocese of Monaco.
In the prince’s meetings with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states and international organizations, the prelates discussed areas of common interest with the prince, such as care for the environment, humanitarian assistance, and the defense and promotion of human dignity.
According to the Monaco Tribune, Catholicism is enshrined in the constitution as the official state religion of the country, although the constitution also guarantees religious freedom. Eighty-three percent of Monaco’s citizens are Catholic.
In Pope Leo’s first papal pilgrimage, he traveled to Turkey and Lebanon from Nov. 27–Dec. 2, 2025.