Pope Leo XIV aboard the helicopter taking him to Monaco (@Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to Principality of Monaco
The Pope is travelling by helicopter to the small
city-state, the destination of his second Apostolic Journey. In a telegram to
the President of Italy during the flight, he expresses his desire to encourage
“the witness of Christian faith” and “the building of the common good.”
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.
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