Pope Leo XIV made an apostolic visit to the small Mediterranean country of Monaco March 28, marking the first papal visit to the Catholic principality since Pope Paul III in 1538.
The visit began with a greeting from Prince Albert II of Monaco upon the pope’s arrival, followed by an official welcome at the palace attended by thousands gathered outside to greet him. Monaco is one of the few countries in the world where Catholicism is the official state religion, signifying a special relationship between the principality and the Holy See, according to Vatican News.
In an address at the palace, Pope Leo encouraged the people of Monaco to live out the Church’s social doctrine and offer an example to other nations. As the small country is known for attracting the extremely wealthy, he urged Monaco to use its riches for good.
“The gift of smallness and a living spiritual heritage invite you to put your prosperity at the service of law and justice, especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardizing peace,” he said, according to Vatican News.
Pope Leo later met with Monaco’s Catholic community in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. According to PBS, he encouraged them to spread their faith “so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.”
The Pontiff also met with young people and catechumens and gave them a special address before concluding his visit with Mass at Louis II Stadium. In his homily, he reflected on the false worship of power that leads to war and destruction of the innocent.
Referring to the Gospel reading of the Passion of Christ, he said that the Pharisees’ willingness to bring about Jesus’ death was motivated by a desire to stay in power. God, however, was able to bring good out of evil and transform a death sentence into an “act of supreme love,” the Pope added.
“We are thus witnesses to two opposing forces: on the one hand, the revelation of God, who presents himself as the almighty Lord and Savior; and on the other, the hidden schemes of powerful authorities who are eager to kill without scruples,” Pope Leo said. “Does this not also happen today? Where these forces converge, there lies the sign of Jesus: the giving of one’s life.”
He lamented that so many “plots are devised around the world to kill the innocent!” and called out “excuses” that justify the taking of human life. The Pontiff encouraged hope and trust in God’s mercy in the face of evil and denounced the worship of the idols of power and wealth. He also urged peace, saying, “Every life cut short wounds the body of Christ.”
“Let us not grow accustomed to the clamor of weapons and images of war! Peace is not merely a balance of power; it is the work of purified hearts, of those who see others as brothers and sisters to be protected, not enemies to be defeated,” he said.
He continued, “The Church in Monaco is called to bear witness to living in peace and with God’s blessing. Therefore, dear friends, bring happiness to others through your faith, by manifesting authentic joy which is not won through a wager, but shared through charity.”